RCCI’s suggestion to business during Covid-19
FERNDALE – The Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry shares their tips for business while they face coronavirus and its implications on their business.
CEO of the Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Linda Blackbeard shares how challenges faced by businesses in our communities and what the chamber can assist them with. Here is what she had to say.
It is clearly evident that we all are concerned about the impact of Covid-19 on our businesses, staff and those around us. We have already received communication from government institutions implementing various restrictions, as described in the State of Disaster address.
As a chamber we concern ourselves with the well-being of our members and business in general. At present we have added to our list, the concern of how our businesses are coping in this low economic climate, coupled with the effect that the Covid-19, on their general well-being and survival. We are now trying to assist with what roles the employees need to play in assisting the prevention of the spread of the virus. Suggesting health measures and hygiene methods. We are hearing so much about what not to do, but very little on what to do if you feel you may need to stay home and self-medicate.
All of this is having a negative impact on many businesses in an already stretched economic climate. Franchise businesses in the food sector, restaurants and bars are also very hard hit.
Symposiums have been cancelled, meetings cancelled. All of these were revenue-generating events and this money is now lost, coupled with the fact that all preparation costs have gone down the drain too. Thus a greater revenue loss to the organisers. Hospitality and travel have taken a huge knock. Monthly accommodation levels are down some 80 per cent in certain instances.
For the larger retail outlets, who seem to be selling more than they did before say stock is the problem not the sales. There are also in some instances issues affecting the buyers, especially those with limited budgets, that can only shop in small doses at a time, that the shelves are always empty from the ‘storm buyers’. Factories have in many instances closed or reduced staff, or staff has decided to stay away, affecting output and bottom-line profits.
Some companies can allow their staff to work from home, others who manage the activities of the business are therefore forced to come to work as their positions do not allow virtual or work-from-home facilitation.
The virtual space commuting staff, have in some instances managed to increase their businesses, especially from the smaller business owners, who either do not have full-time employees, or those who have lost staff due to their absence from work.
I have not heard of any issues regarding the commuting public from the taxis’ areas. We are now aware that the City has implemented their apparent measures for the sanitising of the taxis, and I sincerely hope that this is taken seriously and all safety measures are adhered to, as the staff who use public transport often find themselves in crowded environments where they don’t feel safe, and many have decided to stay away from work for fear of becoming infected. This is affecting, in turn, the businesses.
Regarding community involvement at ground level, litter is a major problem in our area. Someone has touched what is lying on the ground, and this to me is a huge source of contamination. We all need to become far more vigilant and conscious as to where we all discard our litter. Don’t throw your litter or left-over food out the windows of moving vehicles, or just dropping it where you stand. This does not contribute towards a solution. If more bins are needed, then please contact us so we can get this info to the City officials to get more bins distributed where needed.
Many companies have not reported low work attendance, as yet, and this is where we call now on business to take the necessary measures to protect their internal office employees and factory staff as well as the cleaners, guards and gardeners. They could be issued with hygiene soap in dispensers and asked to wash their hands regularly. Especially upon entry to the work premises. Meet with the staff and discuss measures as many don’t seem to grasp the severity of the matter. Another good practice would be to listen to their concerns. Many solutions have been found when listening to others. Others do and we are thankful for that.
Videos and info posters are available on the Internet. Copy them and post them around your office, showing how to prevent contamination and retain healthy spaces. Explain why working areas need to be sanitised and wiped down with alcohol-based disinfectants, this includes keypads and work spaces and request vigilance. Safety and hygiene is paramount in the workplace. With this, staff will be and feel safer and come to work, thus minimising the already slow and low economic climate
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For small businesses, send emails to your clients and explain your personal measures to safeguard against contaminating people and thus you have decided to operate your business differently. No one will complain and you can call us if you need assistance on that.
Restaurants and non delivering food outlets, my suggestion is to establish delivery services, that will, in my humble opinion, keep your doors open. In some cases some companies have requested voluntary isolation, if any staff show symptoms of Covid-19. They are advising staff on the national call centre to be tested. Staff can refuse, but we believe due to the declaration of National Disaster it will be allowed. Business meetings are now in many cases being held by means of electronic channels and emails appear to be the order of the day as well as being used for questions or other forms of communication
If we choose not to limit staff and personnel, then best practise will be to monitor the temperature of staff, contractors and domestic workers by use of a thermal camera at the point of access. All these measures cost money and many businesses do not have the funds or collateral to obtain funds to purchase such equipment. It is a concern though I hope that my comments are not seen as fear mongering, but read in the light of the concerns and should be seen as being responsible and prepared in practising due diligence. We should not be caught unprepared.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said we are in a state of disaster and this means we must do our best to ensure that we do not reach a state of emergency. We recommend implementing stringent precautionary measures within the office and factory areas. The staff that is at work need clear instruction as to what your measures are and how to implement them. We need to help people in business and to keep safe to minimise their risks of becoming infected from others around them.
Considering that at any stage the government can implement a state of emergency, which will mean that the state will request the population to self-isolate. This is the same process followed in Europe and Asia and will only be implemented if the government deems it so. This will mean that your employees will be absent and many businesses forced to close down. The effects of which could be catastrophic for the economy.
From the retail perspective people will only go to supermarkets, doctors and pharmacies and this will be monitored by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
We trust we all play our part to help retain this dreadful Covid-19 and the board of Randburg, Fourways and Lanseria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, wish all readers health and safety going forward
Other restrictions and measures might have been implemented by the time this goes to print, but we will as a chamber do all in our power to keep businesses updated and well informed.
Details: Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, rcci.co.za/ or 086 101 9218.
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