The rising number of Coronavirus cases has led to the NHS Test & Trace asking more people to isolate each day.
A number of restaurants and businesses have been affected by these isolation ‘pings’ resulting in staff shortages and delays.
William Pouget, Managing Director of Vaults & Garden, said: “It has been a very challenging time, particularly for our staff, many of whom have been required to isolate over the last four weeks.
“We have had to close on of our café’s due to staff shortages.”
IN PICTURES: Empty shelves in Oxford supermarkets as 'pingdemic' affects supply chains
Residents of Carterton have also reported that their post office is also one of the businesses affected by self-isolation and currently remains closed.
The Royal Blenheim Pub on St. Ebbes Street was forced to temporarily close on Tuesday too.
A message on the pub’s Facebook page said: “It is with great sadness to announce that we shall be closed for the next few days due to members of our team having to self-isolate as per government guidance.
“The safety of you and our staff is paramount as always, so we have made the difficult decision to close until everyone is safe and ready to come back!”
Another Facebook user, Danielle Makepeace said that The Bird in Hand in Witney also shut due to being pinged.
She said: “Our family had a meal booked at The Bird in Hand but they called to explain that their lead staff had all been pinged so they had to close.”
Interestingly, a restaurant in Headington was closed and surrounding residents thought it was due to Test & Trace, but on ringing the owners, it was revealed that the closure was completely unrelated.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that West End shows were being ‘crippled and cancelled’ as a result of NHS isolation pings.
This ‘pingdemic’ has led to many people deleting the app in frustration. According to a recent poll by JL Partners, 20% of users have claimed that they have either deleted or turned off the app on their phones to avoid being pinged.
In the same poll it was revealed that 24% of the current users are ‘considering’ turning it off.
Cox Haz took to Oxford Mail’s Facebook page to share his anger: “Just don’t download the app. I’m in close proximity to hundreds of people each day.
If one of those tests positive and I ping, I’d have to take time off work and there’s no chance that’s happening.”
Meanwhile user Wal Ter commented: “Keep the app. It is an important tool to avoid future lockdowns.”
Where do you stand on the NHS Test & Trace app? How has it affected you or your business? Let us know in the comments section below.
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