Recent changes to rules on self-isolation have been welcomed after the so-called 'pingdemic' caused chaos for businesses.

The 'pingdemic', which at one point saw over 600,000 people across the UK being told to self-isolate by their NHS Covid-19 apps after coming into contact with someone who tested positive, contributed to severe staff shortages at businesses across Cumbria.

The changes to self isolation rules announced by the government means under18s and people who have had both of their vaccinations will no longer have to self-isolate after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

Managing Director of uniforms business BE Uniforms, William Smillie, said: "It's huge for us.

"From a business point of view it's been an absolute nightmare when people are having to isolate, especially when they have tested negative for Covid.

"More often than not, the people they have been working with are having to isolate as well and the whole knock-on affect is massive.

"It's good news that the rules are changing."

Managing Director of the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Suzanne Caldwell, said: “Clearly this is in general good news for businesses.

"However it does only apply to those who’ve been double vaccinated more than two weeks ago so at this stage there are still lots of, particularly younger people, who would still have to self isolate. This will hit disproportionately those sectors, such as hospitality, that tend to employ a lot of younger workers. 

"There are also challenges for businesses in the change of rules.

"Those who won’t now have to self isolate don’t have to tell their employer if they’ve been pinged. This does give rise to concerns about protecting other staff and customers.

"Added to this we understand that it is a strong recommendation to take a PCR test, not a requirement – adding to concerns about spreading the virus where people are not showing symptoms.

"Another challenge for businesses is that people can still choose to self isolate if they wish to, but employers can require them to work. Which appears to be setting the scene for potential disputes, disciplinaries and grievances. As does the concern that staff may claim to be double vaccinated and therefore not required to self isolate when in fact they are not.

"And of course the wider staffing issues businesses are struggling with throughout the county have not gone away.

"So the good news is not as good as it appears on the surface."