Garage owners urged to prepare amid Covid-19 uncertainty

Government releases support package for small businesses in bid to minimise disruption

Garage owners urged to prepare amid Covid-19 uncertainty
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UK independent garage owners are being urged to prepare and take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus Covid-19.

The UK government has this week released a support package for small businesses as part its 2020 Budget including.

The package confirms statutory sick pay for “all those who are advised to self-isolate”, even if they have not displayed symptoms.

Those on in-work benefits who fall ill will also be able to “claim from day one, instead of day eight”.

Business rates for firms in England with a rateable value below £51,000 suspended for a year and a “temporary coronavirus business interruption loan scheme” has been announced, which allows banks to offer loans of up to £1.2M to support small and medium-sized businesses.

“We are in uncertain times”

Speaking to Garage Wire, a WhoCanFixMyCar spokesperson said: “We are in uncertain times around how the spread of this virus may impact our lives, families and our businesses over the coming weeks and months.

“The UK government may be forced to take more drastic action to curtail the spread in the next 10-14 days with the peak expected in 3-6 weeks’ time, though these estimations still remain uncertain.

“It is unclear how much this will disrupt our sector, but we should collectively be thinking about how to prepare for all scenarios.”

Contingency plans

WhoCanFixMyCar has outlined contingency plans to ensure it can continue to support its garage network in the event of an isolation or quarantine scenario.

The spokesperson added: “Of course, a nationwide restriction on travel could result in a sharp but short reduction in consumers travelling for non-essential work but the likelihood is that work will be deferred and not cancelled.”

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