FTA, the business group representing the logistics industry, wants to reassure the public that it is working hard to keep the nation trading during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is busy supporting all sectors of the economy, in line with government advice.
FTA wants to make clear that businesses are supposed to remain operational as usual. Only non-essential retail shops and public venues are required to shut.
Elizabeth de Jong Policy Director at FTA, comments:
“FTA wants to remind the public that generally businesses are supposed to stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 2m 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, here:Click Here
Efficient logistics is vital to keep the UK trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. FTA is one of the biggest business groups in the UK, supporting, shaping and standing up for safe and efficient logistics. We are the only business group in the UK that represents all of logistics, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.
For more information please visit Click Here
