Helpful Resources to Guide Your Food Business through the COVID-19 Crisis.
Along with everyone impacted, we’ve been watching the COVID-19 pandemic as it evolves. We recognise how stressful this particular situation is for foodservice businesses in particular, and we share your concerns. We stand with all of you and the broader community during a time when our industry is being deeply affected.
There’s lots of advice out there, some of it good, some of it conflicting. We suggest you try to make sure you’re following sources within your own industry, and check the date stamp!
The situation is changing so rapidly that week-old articles can be out of date. We know you’ve got a lot of questions, so we’ve put together the below list of links to helpful, trustworthy resources that would hopefully help bring some clarity and answers for you as a foodservice business owner/manager.
General Advice
The government has been keeping their site very up to date as and as the situations change with the outbreak. Keep your eye on the official updates and beat the #FakeNews.
Staying Safe
The HSE has published a wealth of information on how to protect against COVID-19 on their website. If you have any suspicion you may have the coronavirus, there’s also a chatbot to log your request to be tested. Get up to date information live.
Train your Staff
Impeccable hygiene is crucial for us all during these uncertain times. For staff, it’s about training everyone so they cannot get it wrong. There are many ways to go about this, but agreeing safety protocols you wish to take as a team is a top priority. Check out the link from the HSE on how to ensure you’re washing your hands correctly.
Managing Your Staff
Make sure you and your business are mitigating the risk by giving the best and most up to date advice as possible. We have some frequently asked questions below, along with where you can get the most up to date info.
- If you have a staff member diagnosed with Covid19 , what are the benefits for the employee?
- If you have a staff member who is not diagnosed but is required to self-isolate, what will they be paid?
- If you, as the food business employer, send staff home to self-isolate, what happens?
Business Planning Support
Enterprise Ireland has compiled an excellent Business Response Plan. This outlines everything from health advice to taxation supports. Make sure you take full of advantage of everything the government is offering to keep your doors open and your communities safe.
Worried about cashflow?
- Microfinance Ireland have increased loan caps from 25K to 50K. Click here for more.
- The SBCI is also a great source of information and purpose-built for small to medium businesses (SMEs) In Ireland. You can read more here.
- Tax Breaks: Well, it’s not quite a break. But if you’re having issues as an SME with cash flow, there are supports available from the government here.
Ongoing Independent Updates
Though we recommend that you limit your access to the news (- there is such a thing as being too informed!) make sure you’re getting your news from a reliable source. #FakeNews can be damaging to people but also businesses if not handled correctly. Staying informed and updated has never been easier with RTE’s Live updates here.
Kepak Foodservice Team
We remain laser-focused on your success as a business, and it’s important now more than ever to stay in touch. Our sales teams, supply chain and other departments are working around the clock to support you and your business in whatever way that we can, so please get in touch if you need anything.
Have you come across more supports that you would like to share? We would love to hear from you.
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