SERIOUS concerns have been raised about the rapidly rising number of Dorset businesses hit by the “pingdemic” crisis.

It comes as hundreds more people were told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace in Dorset.

Department for Health and Social Care data shows that, in the BCP Council area, 2,370 people were told to self-isolate after being in contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19 in the week to July 14 – the latest available data.

This was up from 1,882 the week before.

In the Dorset Council area, 1,450 people were told to isolate – up from 1,160 the week before.

‘Wrong time’ to end Covid rules

Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber, is writing to all the county’s MPs over the issue.

He said: “We have serious concerns about the rapidly increasing number of businesses in Dorset being affected by employees going into quarantine.

“More and more employers are calling us about it.

“With the soaring number of people testing positive for Covid also a major concern, the situation could become much worse.

“Many sectors, such as hospitality, were already suffering significant staff shortages before this and I am concerned that we are seeing a resurgence of problems.”

Hospitality industry fears 'pingdemic' as NHS Test and Trace tells workers to isolate

The government has announced plans to allow firms in sectors including transport, energy, local councils and digital infrastructure to test workers daily instead of making staff isolate.

However, firms will have to apply for the special dispensation.

Mr Girling said: “The government’s updated guidance that named, double-jabbed key workers in 16 sectors will be exempt from self-isolation rules is a step in the right direction.

“However, eligibility criteria for employers involves paperwork and time – and a backlog of authorisation from relevant government departments is inevitable.”

A Dorset Chamber poll on the networking platform LinkedIn showed that nearly a third of businesses faced “serious” staffing or capacity issues due to isolation, with a further 26 per cent citing it as an issue.

A similar survey by Chamber member Helen Stacey, of recruitment agency Aspire Jobs, covering Dorset and Hampshire, saw nearly half of the 38 businesses polled citing problems.

The chamber has temporarily reintroduced remote working at its Poole HQ.

“We cannot recommend that people switch off the app as it is critical that we contain the virus while acting in a safe and responsible way to negotiate this latest obstacle on the long road to recovery,” Mr Girling added.

The 16 sectors listed for exemptions are energy, civil nuclear, digital infrastructure, food production and supply, waste, water, veterinary medicines, essential chemicals, essential transport, medicines, medical devices, clinical consumable supplies, emergency services, border control, essential defence outputs and local government.