Small business is crying out for COVIDSafe clarity
An engine room houses the equipment that propels a ship. That’s why the analogy of small business as the engine room of the economy is so relevant. It drives our state and country forward.
There are more than 600,000 small businesses in Victoria, each employing fewer than 20 people. They provide almost 50 per cent of jobs outside of the public sector. So it is deeply concerning many have closed for good, and others are at risk.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced the second lockdown on July 7. It was to last six weeks, yet 14 weeks later there’s still no date to reopen. Many small business owners have reached their limit having already risked so much. Now, more than any time during the pandemic, they need hope and a way forward to encourage them to stay the course.
At the Premier’s daily press conference, the focus is entirely on COVID-19 case numbers, currently close to double the 14-day average needed to reopen. Inertia is offered to business rather than hope or a way forward.
Many shop, factory and office landlords were given a mortgage repayment hiatus. Their loans now need to be repaid at a higher rate over a shorter period. That means higher costs flowing on to small business in higher lease payments. Many still have higher rates from the first lockdown hanging over them. With the prospect of further rises after 14 more weeks, things are looking bleak.
Similarly, many business owners have had loan reprieves for their homes as well as equipment and stock. For some, a one-off grant may help to cover goods purchased before lockdown, but that doesn’t deal with leases and mortgages after it.
Business owners desperately need clarity. Yet, there’s no picture of what reopening looks like, and when and how it will occur. Time is needed to get organised. Under current lockdown rules, many can’t attend workplaces to set things up – even if they knew what expectations were. Allowing that, without fear of a fine, would be a good start.
Small business owners don’t have department managers; they do it all. A last minute notice of reopening doesn’t cut it. They need to plan so they can get back on their feet quickly. That means knowing what’s required and how it will be monitored. They need tools, like COVIDSafe plan templates with clear guidelines that are easy to understand and implement. Because it’s not just about serving customers, it’s about how staff interact, and ongoing workplace hygiene. Staff training resources would be helpful too.
The conversation about a nuanced approach to reopening is well overdue. Solutions need to enable people to get back to work safely, such as half of the staff returning while others continue working remotely. Or staggering start times to minimise pressure on public transport. Opening up doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
COVIDSafe Plans for high and medium risk businesses could be submitted to WorkSafe for verification now. Not only would that provide the Chief Health Officer with comfort to start opening; it also means no backlog in processing and certainty for business.
Lower risk businesses, while not needing to submit a plan, can be getting theirs ready so systematic inspections by Worksafe could commence upon opening. The government could also be training up Worksafe Officers with competency in COVIDSafe inspections and how to guide business into compliance rather than a big stick approach.
The World Health Organisation says lockdown “should not be used as a primary means of controlling the virus”. There are concerns about the effects on local jobs and the flow-on damage to jobs in more impoverished communities and countries.
Victoria needs to get moving again, and that starts with instilling hope through action and preparedness. Small business needs the confidence to stay the course because we cannot afford the engine room to stall. That would be a tragedy for all.
Dee Ryall is a risk and governance specialist and former Liberal state member of parliament.
Most Viewed in Business
Source: Thanks smh.com