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The fact that the British no longer have corona restrictions when a lot of virus is circulating again makes the government’s corana app run wild. There are so many people at home that employers are gradually having their hands in their hair.
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The ‘pingdemic’, as the British newspapers call the phenomenon that is currently taking place in the United Kingdom, after the sound that the government’s corona app makes when it reports a high-risk contact to the user. Anyone who is ‘pinged’ has to self-isolate for ten days as a precaution.
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The noise often reverberates in British households these days. The fact that the British no longer have corona restrictions since July 19 – ‘Freedom Day’ according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson – while a lot of virus is still circulating, makes the app run wild. That combination of a lot of mobility and a lot of virus – the UK has about 50,000 infections a day – means that more than 1.7 million of the 67 million Britons are in quarantine at home.
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Those who have been double vaccinated are also asked to isolate themselves during a ‘ping’ for the time being.
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The fact that more than half of the British population is already double vaccinated has no effect yet. Those who have been vaccinated are also asked to isolate themselves after a high-risk contact for the time being.
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Empty rack
The ‘pingdemic’ is worrying British companies. Some employers see up to a quarter of their staff drop out, which is also reflected in the street scene. In many supermarkets, the shelves are not filled because there are too few employees available. Supermarket chains are calling on thousands of interim employees to fill the gaps.
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In the catering and clothing stores, people complain about the staff shortage. Some businesses have to close temporarily because too many staff have received a ‘ping’. It is also all hands on deck in logistics and industry. Reports appear in the British press about canceled trains, undelivered mail, empty petrol stations and adjusted shifts. Some desperate business leaders are asking their staff to ignore the guidelines.
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Critical professions
The British government is grappling with the problem. Johnson, who is in isolation after being ‘pinged’, is calling on people to stick to self-isolation. “We need to remain cautious in reopening the country,” Johnson said. At the same time, the government realizes that something must be done.
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The British government is working on a list of exceptions, but it won’t be long.
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Economy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng is working on a list of ‘privileged’ sectors that would be allowed to ignore the isolation if the workers submit a negative PCR test. But that list is hard to come by as everyone tries to get on that list of ‘critical functions’. Kwarteng already indicated that the list will not be extensive.
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The government wants to exclude double vaccinated people from isolation from August 16, but that intervention is not yet certain, Kwarteng said. “I’m confident, but I can’t guarantee it yet. We will look at everything this weekend and make a decision.’
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