Dr Potter made the statement during a business townhall meeting which was hosted by the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) recently.

The meeting was held to inform local business owners about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) following its recent developments in the Caribbean.

Think about working remotely

Dr Potter said as the virus continues to near the territory, a number of measures will have to be taken by business owners to ensure the continuation of their respective establishments.

“You need to think about this, it may come to the point where government is saying we can’t have any mass gatherings. It may come to the point where government may say to us stay home, all of us. That is a desperate place to be. We hope it never comes to that, but you need to begin to prepare your mind for that possibility,” Dr Potter stated.

“If you never thought about it before, you should begin to think about how can you have that resource (employee) applied to my business, even if thery are not in the office. It’s easier for people who are mildly ill and can work, if you can, you have to provide the opportunity for them to give service,” he added.

Advised to practice proper sanitary measures in the workplace

The CMO also said that businesses should practice proper hygiene within the work environment to minimise the possibility of spreading the virus, should it reach local shores.

He further said a contingency plan should be in place at the respective businesses Just in case any of their employees begin to employee display symptoms of the virus on the job.

“I’m asking business communities to equip the workplace with masks in the event an employee develops a cough, it will be readily available for them to use to stop the spread of whatever illness they may be encountering,” Dr Potter stated.

He also advised that all persons feeling ill should stay home and not go into the workplace.