This week Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the end of domestic Covid-related restrictions, including the legal requirement to self-isolate.
This marks a monumental point in the pandemic-era which the Prime Minister said: “will return people’s freedom and mark a moment of pride as we begin to learn to live with Covid”.
Many businesses, who have suffered with staff shortages and seen issues with supply chains will welcome these restrictions easing for financial reasons. However, priorities will still be the health and safety of their staff and customers. The government should ensure that health and safety guidance is clearly laid out in the coming days and weeks so that businesses can begin to implement policies that help workplaces manage Covid.
Businesses will be concerned with the news that their employees will no longer have access to free testing. Access to free testing has been key to managing workplace wellbeing and maintaining customer confidence, businesses will want to know what the cost will be and how to access tests in the future.
The past 2 years have been tough on most businesses and as we now begin to think about living with Covid, businesses can now hopefully begin to think about planning for the future.
How has your business managed the gradual relaxation of restrictions? The Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey is open now and we would like to hear from you. To get your business concerns heard please visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GWHGRBQ1.