Dorset Chamber is concerned about the viability of local businesses following the Prime Minister’s conference yesterday.

Chief executive Ian Girling said: “This is a bitter pill to swallow for many businesses who have only recently begun to get back on their feet.

“The Prime Minister painted a bleak picture about the threat of the new omicron variant, and the Plan B restrictions will undoubtedly have an economic impact and damage business and consumer confidence.

“Many employers who have struggled to get their people back into the workplace are now being asked to make more changes at the last minute with very little notice.

“Employers should be socially responsible and ask their staff to work from home if they can but if employees are needed for the functioning of a business then they can continue to go into the workplace. Employers will need to ensure all the necessary measures are in place to protect their staff.

“We are all going to have to live with Covid for some time. A strong and working economy is crucial to building our resilience as a community and to bolstering our ability to overcome challenges as they arise on our journey to recovery.”