EMA says the economy needs a return to Alert Level 2 on May 12 to get business back to work and kick-start the country’s economic engine.

Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says “what this week at Alert Level 3 has shown is that the vast majority of businesses are taking a responsible approach to health and safety practices in the workplace and we can expect that to continue under Level 2.”

“Unless there’s a compelling reason not to, the Government should announce on May 11 that we are moving immediately from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2.” He says that any extra time at Alert Level 3 will sink a number of businesses that have only just been holding on, with further detrimental flow-on effects for their people and the economy.

“We’ve already seen a number of businesses going to the wall and a significant jump in the numbers of unemployed – we know that more businesses are certain to fold.”

“With no sign yet of any cash-flow assistance package from the government we’ll see many more SMEs and some larger companies make the tough decision to close if there is a further extension of Alert Level 3 restrictions, says Mr O’Riley. “The health arguments have rightly and understandably held sway in beating back this virus and businesses have complied well with Levels 4 and 3. It’s now time to trust them to continue work within Level 2 guidelines, allowing the bulk of the economy to get back underway while maintaining the required vigilance under the health guidelines.”

“But it’s time for business to start recovering its health.”

A quick online survey of EMA members showed that only eight per cent of those who took part did not have a health and safety plan in place in the week prior to Alert Level 3 was announced.

“Businesses are clear on the rules are and have been sticking by them. All businesses have been asked to make a plan, and we know our members are following them. There’s no reason to expect we won’t get the same levels of co-operation under Level 2,” he says.

“The survey told as that businesses are desperate to have customers back on their premises – with appropriate social distancing – because their revenue at Alert Level 3 is nowhere near what it could be and they’re still in danger of not making it through,” says Mr O’Riley.

“Level 2 will offer significant revenue increases for many and also allow other sectors such as retail and hospitality to operate again – but again under strict guidelines. It’s timely to give businesses that opportunity.”