In today's (7 Aug) Business Insider, Tracy Black, director of CBI Scotland, outlines a six point plan to help businesses deal with local lockdowns. The aim of the plan is to make business aware of any potential trigger points for when a lockdown could occur and how they can be supported if they are forced to close temporarily.
The 6-point action plan is summarised below:
- Increasing the visibility and awareness of the data trigger points used in decision-making. Greater understanding and transparency of which data and metrics will be used consistently to both impose and lift restrictions, would help local communities prepare.
- Ensuring decisions are communicated at the right time, to the right people. Timing announcements - as far as is possible - during working hours can minimise confusion and allow employers to engage with their staff in good time.
- Clarity of message. Say what people can do as well as changes to what they can’t do. Be clear what changes mean for business, transport operators, schools and others.
- Communicating who is ‘in charge’ of the lockdown and have a “go to” person for businesses to both access and provide information.
- Stepping up Test and Protect efforts – this will be essential to national efforts, but also help affected areas to minimise disruption.
- Establishing a framework for business support, which recognises that local lockdowns will impact local economies differently.
Tracy Black, CBI Scotland Director, said: “Businesses know that if infection rates spike in an area, then new local lockdowns may well be required to protect public health. That’s why they’re working so hard to follow government guidance – keeping their offices, pubs and shops safe and secure for staff and customers. Local lockdowns are a crucial piece of the puzzle in how we manage the risk of infection and reopening the economy safely, so we must get good at them."
Read the full article here.