All the services experiencing disruptions due to Omicron 

Omicron is spreading across the country like wildfire, and its lead to closures, disruption and chaos across vital services.

Most rail operators across the UK have been forced to run reduced timetables due to the number of staff members off sick with the virus.

This comes days before Christmas, leading to fears the country may come to a standstill over the festive period.

READ MORE: UK to see ‘worst Christmas traffic’ as millions hit the roads before new covid curbs are imposed

Other services suffering due to shortages caused by the virus include Royal Mail, fire services and even some supermarkets.

While museums, theatres, pubs and ­restaurants are being forced to close due to the crisis, which is also affecting bin collections in some areas.

According to The Mirror, in the past week, 5.2% of trains were cancelled, up from the average of 2.9%, according to the Rail Delivery Group.

Its members reported that 8.7% of their staff were off sick due to all causes, including Covid. The RMT union, which represents transport workers, said absences would have severe consequences for services.

Transport for Wales (TFW) announced an emergency timetable earlier this week to help cope with staff absences due to the ongoing outbreak of the Omicron variant.

To help avoid delays, TfW is asking rail passengers to check the new timetable before they travel, which will be introduced from Wednesday, December 22.

It says this is to prepare for an expected rise in staff shortages due to the emergence of the Omicron variant of coronavirus and is to ensure the company can continue to provide a reliable service throughout this latest stage of the pandemic.

Health service

NHS leaders expect staff sickness and self-isolation to have a significant impact in the coming weeks.

Dr Katherine Henderson, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said yesterday: “The biggest challenge to the staff at the moment is going to be the numbers going off sick.”

She added to an all-party parliamentary coronavirus evidence session: “I was on a shift yesterday and during my day shift four doctors went off Covid-positive.”

Hospitals in England have been told to discharge as many patients as possible. While health boards in Wales have cancelled all non-urgent treatment with immediate effect have raised concern over the ‘tidal wave’ the NHS is facing in January.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) executive medical director Dr Nick Lyons previously said: “Getting booster jabs into the arms of all eligible adults over the next 10 days is critical to protect each other and NHS services from the tidal wave of Omicron cases coming our way in January,”

No 10 has so far dismissed fears hospitals will have to close because of lack of staff but UNISON, which represents healthcare workers, says shortages are crippling for burnt-out medics.

Head of health Sara Gorton said: “Staff have been wrung dry by pandemic pressures. Now they’re going through another wave as Omicron surges.

“Many are covering the shifts of poorly colleagues and feeling guilty they can’t provide quality care.

“Exhausted staff are suffering panic attacks and feeling anxious they’ll catch Covid again.”

Hospitality

Soaring Covid cases are causing major staffing shortages in pubs, restaurants, cinemas and other venues.

Some restaurants have been forced to close due to staffing shortages, while others who have remained open have reported losing thousands due to ‘no show’ customers.

Royal Mail

Royal Mail is experiencing staff absence levels which are almost double what would have been expected before the coronavirus pandemic.

Although it insists that deliveries are operating as normal in the run-up to Christmas, many sorting offices are stretched to breaking point.

Royal Mail’s website lists offices that are experiencing difficulties, which it says means they may not be able to deliver the usual service temporarily because of local issues.

A spokesman said: “Every item of mail is important to us. Where offices are experiencing local challenges, such as higher absence levels, we’ve asked teams to rotate deliveries to minimise delays for individual customers.

“We have also reminded colleagues that the delivery, collection and processing of letters and parcels should be treated with equal importance.”

Fire brigade

The Fire Brigades Union said nearly a third of London’s fire engines were out of action in the past week due to staff shortages.

According to the union, almost 10% of operational firefighters have either tested positive or are self-isolating.

London Fire Brigade said the pandemic was causing “staffing challenges” but it continued to meet attendance targets.

According to the FBU, 40 fire engines out of 142 were unavailable on Thursday’s day and night shifts due to shortages, with 141 firefighters testing positive for Covid and 283 self-isolating.

FBU London regional secretary Jon Lambe said: “Omicron is having a devastating impact on the LFB, but this should not be affecting the brigade the way it is, with almost a third of our fire engines unavailable.

“The reason that’s happening is firefighter numbers being too low, due to the devastating cuts imposed on the LFB since 2010.”

LFB deputy commissioner Richard Mills said the service was still consistently meeting its attendance targets.

It isn’t known whether North Wales Fire and Rescue Service have been impacted by shortages in the same way.

Theatres

Theatres across the country have made the decision to close after Christmas due to the restrictions coming in place.

Denbighshire Leisure confirmed that the panto at Rhyl Pavillon will be cancelled from Boxing Day due to the new restrictions coming in place, and following rising coronavirus fears.

Many other theatres across the region have taken similar action.

Traditionally the run-up to Christmas, including panto season, is the busiest time of the year for theatres throughout the country.

Producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh said the industry was in a dreadful state.

He added: “It’s literally day-to-day. We spend all morning trying to work out if we can do the show or not. The important thing is when we do it, it is safe, and the public has been remarkable in that they are turning up mostly to the shows.”

Supermarkets

Food industry executives warn the alarming rise in the cases is leading to worker shortages in shops and among food suppliers and delivery drivers.

It raises the prospect of a lack of deliveries just as many shoppers are forced to isolate, disruption of supplies to stores, and even a return to the closure of small shops in the worst-hit areas if staff absences rocket.

Supply problems caused by driver shortages could also mean some customers will not be able to properly stock up before Christmas Day.

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