Britain's 'pingdemic' chaos is spreading today with more businesses announcing temporary closures and services facing delays due to the growing number of staff being told to self-isolate.
Rail users in the north of England and parts of Wales are being warned of delays today - after a London tube line was closed entirely yesterday - due to a shortage of drivers and front line staff.
Pubs, many of which are ramping-up staffing levels ahead of Monday's 'Freedom Day', are temporarily closing due to staff being ordered into isolation by the NHS Covid-19 app.
Hair salons, which are still recovering from months of lockdown, are also having to close, along with sports facilities, while Royal Mail sorting offices have also been impacted.
Garden waste collections in some areas have also been suspended to allow isolation-hampered council staff to focus on waste bins.
Meanwhile, as temperatures soar to 86F in some parts of England, some tourist attractions are having to close due to a lack of staff.
And today warnings were issued of an MOT backlog with garages having to mass cancel bookings due to their mechanics being forced into isolation.
It comes as Transport for London (TfL) was yesterday forced to shut the Metropolitan tube line amid staff shortages, while an M&S boss yesterday warned that store hours may have to be cut with up to one in five supermarket staff forced into Covid isolation.
Around 1.8million people were asked to self-isolate last week in England, data suggests. That includes 194,000 people who tested positive, 520,000 who were 'pinged' by the app, almost 340,000 who were contacted directly by Test and Trace, and 750,000 schoolchildren
Up to 1million people were asked to self-isolate last week, data suggests. But that figure could hit 5.6million by the end of the month, if cases spiral by 75 per cent every week (right), according to MailOnline analysis. Separate projections based on a growth rate of 40 per cent - similar to what Test and Trace reported last week - still says the number of people self-isolating could hit 3million a week. But the true figure will be much lower because many people who are told to self-isolate end up testing positive, and some people will be flagged down by both NHS Test and Trace and the app
Today, services on Northern trains are being disrupted. Customers are being advised not to travel between Sheffield and Leeds via Moorthorpe, between Leeds and Doncaster, from Sheffield to Lincoln and between Sheffield and York because of delays.
They are also warning passengers of busier than usual services on coastal routes as Britons flock to the beach today with temperatures set to soar.
In an alert issued today: 'A number of front-line staff have either tested positive for COVID or having to self-isolate.
'Due to this, there will be a number of alterations on some Northern routes today.
'In addition, Northern are also expecting busier services at popular leisure spots and routes out to the coast.
'Where possible, please try not to rely on the last service of the day.'
There are also reduced Transport of Wales services in the Cardiff area today due to a 'shortage of train drivers' - though the alert does not specifically say this is due to Covid isolation.
Meanwhile, more pubs are having to close due to a lack of staff. It comes as restrictions are set to be lifted tomorrow in what has been dubbed 'Freedom Day' in England.
One pub owner, Steve Lomas, who runs Suffolk-based pub chain Deben Inns, took to Twitter to share his frustration.
He said: 'Nine staff pinged, nine negative tests over five days and there still unable to come out of isolation. Business closed.
'Surely this is preposterous and is certainly unsustainable?'
Meanwhile, O'Neills in Reading, has now closed following an outbreak. The pub had a sign on its front door, which reads: 'Unfortunately, following the return of positive Covid-19 tests within the team, and being instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, we are closing the pub for a short time as a precautionary measure.'
It adds: 'We're sorry for any disappointment this may cause, but we'd like to thank our guests and our team for their support shown and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.'
Likewise, a salon in West Yorkshire announced it was having to close due to an outbreak. Empire Hair salon, near Halifax, said on Facebook: ' It's took me a day to write this but I have had to close the doors for now at Empire.
'We have one staff member isolating, one showing symptoms and awaiting results.
I felt for the safety of all our clients, and our staff I have decided to close our doors until we all have our tests results back, obviously hoping we won't have to self isolate.'
Meanwhile, the National Trust says one of its sites is having to close due to staff shortages caused by isolation.
Announcing a temporary close of Rufford Old Hall in Lancashire, the trust said: 'Due partly to some staff self-isolating and awaiting results, mean the house will be temporarily closed on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July.
'The garden, woodland and tea room will remain open for visitors to enjoy. Thank you for your support.'
It comes as Royal Mail warned earlier this week of postal delays in the Peterborough earlier this week due to staff having to self-isolate.
A Royal Mail spokesperson told the Peterborough Telegraph: 'A number of colleagues are self-isolating at the Orton Southgate Delivery Office following a positive case of COVID-19. We wish our colleague a speedy recovery.
'This temporary impact on staffing levels may result in some disruption to services and we apologise to any impacted customers in advance. We are working hard to restore normal service levels as quickly as possible.'
There is also now concern about delays to MOT services due to garage staff having to self-isolate due to the NHS Covid-19 app.
Jonathan Barbera, founder of Parkers MOT said concerns over staff
