Coronavirus: Businesses should 'stay open to help economy'

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is urging businesses to stay open to lessen the economic impact of COVID-19.

The trade body says businesses are supposed to remain operational as long as they comply with the guidance around hygiene, home working and social distancing.

Only non-essential retail shops and public venues are required to shut, it said.

Elizabeth de Jong, policy director at FTA, explained: “The Government has made clear in its rules that only non-essential retail shops and public venues must shut; otherwise, businesses are supposed to remain operational as long as they comply with the guidance around hygiene, home working and social distancing.

“The logistics sector remains focused on keeping the nation trading throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; this is essential to not only ensure businesses continue to receive the goods and raw materials they need to remain operational, but to limit the economic impact of this crisis.

“However, safety will always be the number one priority and should Government guidance change, logistics will be ready adapt to the new rules.”

Under Government rules, businesses must meet the following requirements to remain operational: have their staff work from home wherever possible, but if they must work in the office or similar working environment, they must remain two metres apart wherever possible.

Workers are also permitted to travel to their jobs if it is not possible to work from home, even if these jobs are not ‘key worker’ jobs.

Government guidance states that “with the exception of some non-essential shops and public venues, we are not asking any other businesses to close – indeed it is important for business to carry on”.

The full guidance is available online, by clicking here.

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