Chaos at airports as key workers are ordered to go into self-isolation by ...

Air and rail passengers suffered a day of chaos yesterday as the so-called 'pingdemic' meant hundreds of transport workers were forced to self-isolate.

There were angry scenes at Heathrow in the morning as passengers crammed into Terminal 5 after dozens of security staff did not turn up for work because they had been 'pinged' by the NHS app.

Travellers said it took 90 minutes just to drop off their bags and get through security. Dozens of flights were delayed by up to three hours to allow people to board, with some missing their flights.

Passengers said that at one point, there were just two security lanes open for thousands of travellers.

Heathrow said the chaos was due to staff being 'pinged' and ordered to self-isolate by the NHS app. 

Staff from different shift patterns were brought in to clear the backlog and the airport said the issue was resolved by the afternoon.

Meanwhile, dozens of trains were cancelled due to staff shortages.

Great Western Railway, which runs long-distance trains between London, Devon, Cornwall and South Wales, was among the worst affected. 

It said a reduced timetable was running yesterday because of 'a shortage of train crew' due to 'a significant number of staff having to self-isolate following notification from Test and Trace'.

Several Thameslink services connecting Cambridge with Gatwick airport were also cancelled. 

National Rail said there were cancellations and alterations to services 'across the railway network' due to staff shortages.

The fiasco will increase pressure on ministers to water down the controversial self-isolation system. 

There are growing fears that continuing to order people to self- isolate after being in close proximity with a Covid carrier will cripple the economy and public services this summer.

Ministers want the public to continue self-isolating when 'pinged'

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