What Should Small Business Owners, Managers and Employees Know About COVID-19?
In business it pays to expect the unexpected – but just who could have predicted COVID-19? As explained on the NHS website: “COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.”
As reported by The Independent, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Europe is now the epicentre of the global coronavirus pandemic, with depressingly high numbers of confirmed cases and fatalities increasing day by day, in the UK and elsewhere.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The NHS is advising people to stay at home for seven days if they have COVID-19 symptoms, which are described as having a “high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back” or a “new, continuous cough.” Symptoms also include breathing difficulties.
During the incubation period (which lasts five days), when the virus is establishing itself, people don’t feel sick and some won’t develop symptoms. According to the BBC, 80% of people get a “mild infection”, which means fever and a cough. In addition, some experience body aches, a sore throat and a headache, possibly a runny nose.
About 6% become critically ill and, as reported by The Guardian, people with an underlying cardiovascular disease are most at risk of dying from COVID-19 (fatality rate of 10.5%), while the highest death rate was among the over 50s. The WHO has estimated the mortality rate from COVID-19 is 3.4% (others believe it’s closer to 1%).
What if you or your employees are showing symptoms?
Those showing symptoms don’t need to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital, as this risks spreading COVID-19. You’re advised to stay at home. Testing for coronavirus is not required if you are “self-isolating” at home. You should only use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
“You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home.”
“Your condition gets worse.”
“Your symptoms do not get better after seven days.”
How to try to avoid catching or spreading COVID-19
No one’s exactly sure how coronavirus is spread, largely because it’s a new illness, but according to the NHS website: “Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.” In addition: “It’s very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.”
The virus is believed to enter the body via the eyes, nose or mouth and our own virus-carrying fingers or if we inhale droplets directly from someone who’s sneezing or coughing.
To avoid catching or spreading coronavirus, the NHS recommends that you:
“Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds.”
“Always wash your hands when you get home or into work.”
“Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.”
“Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.”
“Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards.”
“Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.”
You should not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands have not been washed thoroughly.
Can coronavirus be treated?
Currently, there’s no specific treatment for coronavirus and antibiotics do not help, because they “do not work against viruses”, according to the NHS website. “Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness” and, crucially, “you’ll need to stay in isolation, away from other people, until you have recovered.”
Where does that leave small businesses?
Many large employers in the UK have already instructed their employees to work from home, but many small businesses would struggle to do the same. It isn’t possible for many workers to work from home, while having to close even for a few days or more could have serious cash-flow implications for many small businesses.
It will hit many employees hard, too, even though, following a government announcement last week, at least they’ll get Statutory Sick Pay from their first day off work (usually they do not get it for the first three days). As reported by the BBC: “People who have to self-isolate or who are ill would get an extra £40 to cover the first four days. This would take it up to its usual rate of £94.25 per week.”
According to the BBC, many casual or agency workers may also be entitled to sick pay – but self-employed people are not. It added: “Citizens Advice says people on zero-hours contracts can still get sick pay and should ask their employer.”
Employees can claim universal credit or employment and support allowance if they can’t work for public health reasons. If your staff need to care for a relative or their children because their school has been closed down at short notice, you must give them time off, although it may be unpaid leave.
Budget response
In the Budget last week, the government announced that it would allow SMEs to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay paid for sickness absence because of COVID-19 (up to two weeks’ SSP per eligible employee).
It will increase (to 100%) and expand (to the leisure and hospitality sectors) business rates retail discount. Local authorities will get £2.2bn of funding to support small businesses, while a “new temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, delivered by the British Business Bank, will launch to support businesses [affected by COVID-19] to access bank lending and overdrafts.”
And businesses and self-employed people in “financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities,” may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service. HMRC has launched a new dedicated COVID-19 helpline. You can telephone 0800 0159 559, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 8am to 4pm.
Mark Williams is a freelance editorial consultant, editor, journalist and SME content specialist with more than 25 years’ experience. He has written for The Guardian, numerous leading brands and award-winning magazines and websites. Visit www.markiwilliams.com