The business secretary urged shoppers not to panic on Thursday as the “pingdemic” was blamed for empty shelves at supermarkets due to self-isolating food industry workers.
Several major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose have said they are facing problems, as staff and delivery drivers are forced to isolate after coming into contact with someone with Covid-19.
Asked about a warning from Iceland managing director Richard Walker, Kwasi Kwarteng told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: “He was right to say shoppers shouldn't be panicking. I don't quite know what he meant that the Government should be panicking, I'm not panicking.”
It came as new figures revealed a record 618,903 alerts were sent to users of the NHS Covid-19 app in England and Walesin the week to July 14, telling them they had been in close contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus.
Meanwhile airports across the country prepare for the busiest weekend of the year, with reports more than 2,100 flights will carry up to 393,000 passengers to major European destinations after most schools break up.
