Montgomeryshire MS Russell George has warned of a ‘ping-demic’ after a spike in people being asked to self-isolate via the NHS Test and Trace app and called for the 10-day period to “come to an end”.

Mr George, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Health spokesman, has called on both the Welsh and UK Government to work together to implement changes to isolation rules and the app.

The number of people notified by the app in Wales and England recently passed 500,000 in a single week, and over the weekend Transport for Wales issued an apology for cancellations to numerous rail services as Covid-19 notifications forced a number of staff to self-isolate.

It’s been reported that up to a fifth of workers in companies are having to self-isolate, putting supply chains, public transport and the NHS under significant strain.

Mr George said: “We have made great strides with our vaccination programme and the restoration of many freedoms, but our vital public services and economic recovery could be severely hampered by a potential ‘ping-demic’.

“The sensitivity of the NHS app and isolation rules across the UK need an immediate review as it is bizarre double-vaccinated individuals, some who’ve also already had Covid, are being forced to isolate.

“The 10-day self-isolation period for people who have received both jabs needs to come to an end, and a system implemented for those not yet fully vaccinated.

“In Wales, this will require a joined-up approach and I implore both the Welsh and UK governments to work together immediately so changes can be implemented with pace so our recovery does not ground to a halt.”