Metrolink has announced a temporary reduced timetable for all trams will come into force from Friday, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Transport chiefs said the network was being hit by 'daily delays' because staff are either off with coronavirus or self-isolating.
Trams will run every 12 minutes across the network from August 6 as a result, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said.
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And the change is expected to run throughout August.
Metrolink bosses admitted the 'pingdemic' was impacting services due to staff absence.
In a statement, TfGM said: "Due to coronavirus-related staff absences, and to ensure Metrolink can provide a more reliable and consistent service for customers, a temporary reduced timetable will be in place from Friday .
"Staff for the operator, KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM), are continuing to work extremely hard, in very challenging circumstances, to keep people moving.
"However, daily delays have been occurring across the network because staff are either off with coronavirus, or self-isolating.
"The temporary change will see trams run every 12-minutes across the network, with all available vehicles used to provide as much capacity as possible and 'double' trams operating along the busiest lines.
"Where possible, and subject to staff availability, additional services will run at the busiest times."
TfGM said more frequent services could resume ahead of children returning to school in early September.
Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said: "I think everyone is aware that the ‘pingdemic’ is having a significant impact across multiple sectors, including transport.
"We have been working really hard to keep people moving, but the reality is staff absences are impacting services.
"Moving to a temporary 12-minute frequency will ensure we can operate a more reliable service and alleviate some of the pressure staff are under, which is extremely important for their own wellbeing.
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"I'd like to reassure passengers we will add extra trams where we can and will be aiming to return to a more frequent service at the start of September.
"We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but hope that our customers understand and bear with us at this time."
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