IT was the week when most of the legal restrictions on doing business were lifted – only for many employers to find themselves seriously short of staff.

The government went ahead with the plan to scrap most regulations on social distancing and Covid security.

But with Covid case numbers rising, there was a big rise in the number of people being contacted through the NHS Test and Trace system and told to isolate. It was quickly termed a “pingdemic” and it is hampering all sorts of businesses.

These were among the developments in a busy week of business news.

Listen to the clip below to hear business editor Darren Slade take you through the week’s key developments.

And to read the stories in full, click on the following links:

‘Wrong time’ to end Covid rules

Hospitality industry fears 'pingdemic' as NHS Test and Trace tells workers to isolate

Cobham takeover bid for Ultra Electronic looks set to be recommended to shareholders

Shearings staff win court case over their redundancy

Can I go home from work if it's too hot?

Beales set to reopen Southport branch

You can follow Darren on Twitter, where he's @echodaz, or connect with him on LinkedIn.

To read all the latest business news, click here.