Iceland Supermarket, with store in Wisbech, says more than 1 in 10 of its workers currently self-isolating due to covid

A supermarket chain with a store in Wisbech says more than one in ten of its workers are currently self-isolating due to covid-19.

Frozen food specialist Iceland has revealed that more than 10% were currently self-isolating as staff shortages take a toll on business, the NHS, and public transport networks after the Christmas break.

The supermarket chain told Sky News about 3,300 people were currently at home — representing 11% of its entire workforce — as rules to stem the spread of the omicron variant add to disruption.

The company made the announcement before Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed 100,000 workers across key industries including food processing would be required to have daily covid tests to curb the spread.

Iceland said the rates of staff absence in recent days were more than double last year's peak during the pingdemic, when COVID app users were identified as coming into close contact with someone who had tested positive.

The company said it closed two stores on New Year's Day to spread available shop workers around.