Penn Urges Businesses To Create, Update Business Continuity Plans For COVID-19
Acting Director of the Department of Disaster Management, Jasen Penn has urged businesses in the British Virgin Islands to ensure that they have business continuity plans to include the deadly COVID-19 virus.
This, he explained, is crucial to help minimize disruptions in the workplace brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He told over 300 attendees of the COVID-19 stakeholder meeting held via Webex on January 13 that, “COVID-19 is an evolving situation. Revisit existing plans, update them where you need to, and make sure staff members are familiar with their roles and responsibilities.”
Mr. Penn said these plans should include customer safety, covering shifts for staff who must isolate, to anticipating shipping delays.
The pandemic presents many challenges, but a good continuity plan can protect a business’ bottom line, a press release stated.
The release continued: “He offered further specific advice including safety of staff and customers must be a priority; ensure everyone follows the public health guidance for masking, hand hygiene, and social distance, consider staggering work schedules, virtual meetings and remote work, consider cybersecurity; virtual private networks and password access to servers help protect business data, cross-training of employees is a good practice to ensure coverage of essential business functions, if possible, order goods well in advance as many shipments are currently delayed by months, share information with staff and clients in a proactive manner.”
He told over 300 attendees of the COVID-19 stakeholder meeting held via Webex on January 13 that, “COVID-19 is an evolving situation. Revisit existing plans, update them where you need to, and make sure staff members are familiar with their roles and responsibilities.”
Mr. Penn said these plans should include customer safety, covering shifts for staff who must isolate, to anticipating shipping delays.
The pandemic presents many challenges, but a good continuity plan can protect a business’ bottom line, a press release stated.
The release continued: “He offered further specific advice including safety of staff and customers must be a priority; ensure everyone follows the public health guidance for masking, hand hygiene, and social distance, consider staggering work schedules, virtual meetings and remote work, consider cybersecurity; virtual private networks and password access to servers help protect business data, cross-training of employees is a good practice to ensure coverage of essential business functions, if possible, order goods well in advance as many shipments are currently delayed by months, share information with staff and clients in a proactive manner.”
