A SURGE in close contact alerts is forcing shop workers in the north into self-isolation, putting huge pressure on the retail industry, a leading trade body has claimed.
Retail NI said its members have reported widespread staff shortages due to the number of staff being forced to isolate after being ‘pinged’ by the StopCovid NI app.
The organisation’s chief executive Glyn Roberts has called on the Executive to allow shop workers to take a PCR test from August 16, rather than enforce them to self-isolate for ten days.
London has already announced that fully vaccinated people in England will no longer have to isolate from August 16 after a close contact alert.
Unions in England have warned of severe staff shortages following 530,126 alerts recorded by the NHS Covid-19 app in the first week of July.
Mr Roberts said action needs to be taken in the north to avoid similar problems as restrictions are eased here.
“This situation is getting serious, and we need the Executive to act before shops, the supply chain and our wider economy face widespread disruption with staff shortages,” he said.
“Independent retailers are struggling in particular given they have a smaller staff teams.
“At the very least we need the Executive to bring Northern Ireland into line with the English date of August 16, which allows ‘pinged’ double vaccinated workers to take a PCR test, rather than self-isolation for ten days."
