Christmas in jeopardy as soaring Covid cases threaten to derail deliveries and shopping

Supermarkets have expanded their delivery and click and collect services this Christmas but, with demand for deliveries soaring, many are urging shoppers to book their slots as soon as possible to ensure that they secure deliveries in time. A source at Tesco said that more slots may become available in the coming days, but that those booking earlier are more likely to get the products they want.

Frozen turkeys and chocolate selection boxes in short supply

It comes amid growing anxiety that gaps on shelves could grow in the coming weeks. A report by the Office for National Statistics found that many popular items were missing from shops between December 10 and 13. Almost one in five stores had either no frozen turkeys or a low availability. Chocolate selection boxes and crisps, as well as paracetamol and ibuprofen, were also among the least available items.

The problem is affecting all aspects of the supply chain. Make UK, the manufacturers organisation, said that a quarter to a fifth of factory workers could be off with coronavirus in the coming weeks, which would lead to delivery delays.

Imported goods also risk being held up at ports. Tim Morris, chief executive of the UK Major Ports Group, said: “Ports, like the rest of the economy, are seeing increases in the levels of Covid-related absence. 

“However, absence levels are not, at this point, at operationally significant levels. We are certainly monitoring absence levels very closely, as we are very busy and experience has taught us that numbers can increase rapidly. 

“Whilst we hope that the new ‘daily testing’ rules in England should limit a ‘pingdemic’, test availability can be a factor.”

Trains cancelled as staff call in sick

The transport sector is also coming under strain. A spokesman for West Midlands Railway said it has a problem with staff sickness, with numbers “ramping up on a daily basis”. In the last few weeks, the number of drivers calling in sick has trebled, he said.

The company currently has more than 100 drivers waiting to qualify, who have been held up by the pandemic.

The company said that it had 60 trains at risk of cancellation on Thursday and urged people to plan ahead and check before they travel.

A Transport for London spokesman said that around 500 of its frontline workers, including bus and tube drivers, were off work due to a Covid-related illness.