Is your business prepared for the Coronavirus?

During the 2009/10 H1N1 Pandemic Flu outbreak I directed the Public Health Agency of Canada's online (Web, social media, mobile) communications strategy and implementation plan. This was the first time social media had been used by government to combat a major health emergency. Using a host of communication tactics and channels the single most important goal was to ensure that citizens had prompt and accurate information about this virus. However, it is not just the responsibility of governments to inform the public, the private sector also has a role to play.

As Coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading businesses need a communication strategy and action plan to address the effects of Coronavirus/COVID-19 on their employees and customers. Here are just some of the questions you should ask.

• How will my business adapt to service disruptions caused by Coronavirus?

• What issues and risks will my business have to address during this outbreak?

• Do my employees have timely and accurate information about the risk of Coronavirus/COVID-19 and how they can protect themselves and their families?

• How are my clients, partners, suppliers or stakeholders responding to Coronavirus?

• Do we have flexible leave policies that deal with sick employees, employees who have sick family members, or contract/temp employees?

• Are we regularly disinfecting your work areas?

• What guidelines do we have for travelling employees or satellite offices?

Employers need to develop and implement a communication strategy and action plan to protect their workforce from COVID-19 while ensuring continuity of operations.

This could include such elements as:

• Engaging employees in discussions to determine gaps or problems with the plan

• Sharing your plan with employees

• Setting up a process to put your Coronavirus outbreak response plan into action

• Exploring flexible practices that increase the physical distance among employees

• Sharing best practices with other businesses in your communities

• Identifying possible work-related exposure and health risks to your employees to COVID-19

• Ascertaining crucial business functions, essential jobs, and critical supply chain elements required to maintain business operations

• Establishing information channels to communicate with employees and business partners on your outbreak response plans and latest Coronavirus information

• Applying the local public health strategies in each community where you have a business

Having been to this dance before everyone should realize we are all in this together. During any outbreak of this nature it takes a concerted effort to ensure everyone gets information to protect themselves and their families. Your business should be part of it.

''Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.''

Winston Churchill