The recently coined ‘pingdemic’ is causing disruption to an increasing number of industries and sectors due to staff shortages as a result of the NHS app.

What is the pingdemic?

The pingdemic refers the NHS track and trace app ‘pinging’ people to tell them they need to isolate after being in contact with someone who has test positive for Covid-19. As restrictions have been lifting more and more people are getting pinged causing staff shortages for a number of businesses. In fact frozen supermarket chain Iceland was forced to close some of its stores early as a result of the pingdemic1 .

Agile working during the pingdemic

Fortunately for many office-based businesses, the pingdemic can be less detrimental providing you’re equipped to work from home at the drop of a hat. At the very minimum, your team need to have a suitable internet connection and be able to answer company calls and emails. Beyond that there’s being able to access company documents and applications to enable collaboration even away from the office. after multiple lockdowns it’s surprising how many businesses are still lacking a robust working from home strategy.

Beyond the pingdemic

The Government is already in talks about changing the rules around self-isolation as a result of being pinged, but this is just one instance that could result in your business needing to work remotely at the drop of the hat. Outside of the pandemic, damage to your building such as flooding or a power cut could also result in you needing to work remotely.

How we can help

We recommend business continuity and disaster recovery solutions to all our clients. If the last 18 months has taught us anything, it’s you never know what’s around the corner. Get in touch if you want an IT partner who can help keep your business running no matter what.

1 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57885175