Coronavirus has changed everything. Not a single business has been left unaltered or unaffected by the pandemic and lockdown. Now restrictions are easing and we’re returning to relative normality, companies everywhere have had to alter their operations. One of the main issues they’re needing to tackle is business travel. So, we’re going to focus on this problem within our article, and begin offering solutions to business leaders, too. Read on to find out how coronavirus has changed business travel forever and how one might adapt to these new circumstances.
1.) Less Travelling
Let’s start with an obvious one. People won’t be able to travel as much for business trips anymore. Countries across the world are constantly re-entering lockdown, closing their borders, imposing two-week quarantines for travellers, and enforcing new restrictions. Business trips are simply no longer feasible. Employees could become stranded or forced into lockdown when all they wanted to do was attend a two-day event. However, there is an easy way around this issue, thanks to the gift of modern technology. Managers are now turning to online conference calls as opposed to business trips. This method is safer, easier and cheaper, too. Though communication might be slightly limited – especially by things like internet connection – it’s certainly a good solution. As streaming technology continues to improve, soon we should be able to do without business trips anyway.
2.) Closing Offices
Employees will probably want to avoid travelling to the office and work from home instead. This means different branches and offices will become redundant, so business owners will likely close some of them. In these circumstances, companies are better off opting to rent a garage for storage. This should prevent them from losing loads of money on office essentials whilst they attempt to reallocate resources.
3.) Public Transport
Business travel will also be affected by new restrictions for public transport like buses or trains. Timetables have changed, meaning these services are no longer running as frequently, and their passenger capacity has been reduced to ensure social distancing can be maintained. This will also affect employees travelling to and from work. To tackle this issue, business leaders should start providing their staff with personal protective equipment like face masks, disposable gloves and hand-sanitiser. They should cut down their reliance on public transport and ask employees to travel by car if possible. Being more flexible with work schedules is also a must.
4.) Immunity Passports
Immunity passports have been recently introduced because of coronavirus. Only people who are certified as healthy and virus-free will be allowed on certain flights to different countries. Business leaders must account for this if they plan on sending their employees travelling. They should be responsible for supplying their staff with testing equipment and putting them through the screening process.
5.) Flight Prices
To compensate for lost revenue, flight companies will likely hike up their prices. This means frequent business travel will be significantly less affordable, increasing overheads. Once again, to counteract this problem, companies should conduct business trips sparingly and only if they’re necessary.
6.) Hygiene Standards
Coronavirus means that standards of hygiene must be far higher if we want to protect ourselves and our employees from contracting the nasty illness. This is particularly pertinent when it comes to business travel, as you’ll be surrounded by a lot more people and their germs. Managers can counteract this by educating staff on good hygiene practises whenever they’re about to be sent on a business trip. They could also supply them with PPE and hand sanitiser.
Remember this guide when considering business travel for your company and you’re sure to keep you and your staff safe in these uncertain times.
