Calls for reduction of Covid isolation period or ‘test and release' to stem staff shortages

10 January 2022 by
Calls for reduction of Covid isolation period or ‘test and release' to stem staff shortages

The Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has called for the government to consider reducing the Covid isolation period for workers, or to work with the hospitality industry to examine a ‘test and release' scheme to help stem the workforce challenges for businesses.

The calls follow comments by education secretary and former vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi, who told the BBC that cutting self-isolation to five days would help with staff absenteeism. People who test positive for Covid are required to self-isolate for at least seven days.

The hospitality sector has faced a New Year once more without Christmas cash reserves after Omicron concerns and government messages decimated December trade. On top of this and with staffing shortages already plaguing the industry, some operators told The Caterer 10% of their staff were absent due to having to isolate.

Charlie Gilkes, co-founder of Inception Group, told The Caterer the seven-day isolation rule remained a challenge for operators. He said: "London was hit first and hardest by Omicron in December. Self-isolation rules meant we had to close a couple of sites early for that year as we didn't have enough staff available to maintain the service standards our customers would expect.

"Cases thankfully seem to be on their way down in the capital although coronavirus cases and the seven-day rule still continues to present huge challenges."

Michael Kill, chief executive of the NTIA, said the isolation policy, although recently reduced to seven days, was still resulting in "considerable losses" in staff numbers to illness and isolation, placing pressure on the supply chain and limiting trading capacity.

He said: "Since 'Freedom Day' we have been plagued with staff and supply chain shortages, further exacerbated by the implementation of new rules due to the Omicron variant, which has since compromised our trading levels and service and generated a level of anxiety within the workforce and in some cases compromised public safety."

"We are asking the government to consider the pressures on the workforce, not only as employers, but as employees trying to survive."

Photo: Heidi Besen/Shutterstock

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking