Adjusted hours, click and collect services, reduced operations, sales controls… These are just some of the measures companies are taking in response to COVID-19 . Learn about these and other measures being implemented to stop the spread of the coronavirus in Chile with Hispanos Emprendedores.
Trade to expectation
The news about the coronavirus advances as fast as the disease itself. These are difficult times when necessary steps must be taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19. And this would not be long in knocking on the doors of the economic sector.
The retail and industrial sectors are clear about their role in combating this pandemic. It is necessary to implement measures to prevent infections as much as possible , but at the same time, they face the challenge of remaining operational and ensuring customer service.
The government announced a phased quarantine to be implemented in four stages. This decision aims to restrict people's movement to curb the spread of the virus. Several of the announced measures are already in place and include the closure of non-essential businesses.
Before the progressive quarantine for the advance of the coronavirus in Chile was announced, the shopping centers had already announced the temporary closure. So only pharmacies, medical centers, supermarkets, banks and building materials stores would continue to operate.
The magnitude of the impact these measures will have for companies and workers is still unknown. However, many have announced that they have teams that are monitoring the situation to encourage timely decision-making.
What are companies doing against COVID-19?
Many companies began to apply regulations due to the advance of the pandemic. The intention is to protect workers and customers from the possibility of contagion. In addition to dealing with the operational and economic consequences in time.
Here we mention some of the announcements made by Chilean companies in response to the coronavirus , as well as other foreign companies operating in the country.
- Aguas Andinas: to guarantee the continuity of the service, they have independent teams in the treatment plants. In addition, the transfer of essential personnel is done in individual vehicles and in shifts and sanitation work is applied after each day.
- Farmacias Ahumada: they are focused on avoiding shortages, so they limited purchases to three products per person. He also announced that he would maintain prices.
- Walmart: Limited purchase of hygiene and personal care products to 5 per person. Could add other essential products.
- Colloky: will keep online shopping active, but closed physical stores.
- Cruz Verde: focuses on ensuring customer access to the products necessary to prevent disease. For this they will maintain their prices and supply the establishments as long as possible.
- Supermarkets: the supermarket hours in Chile for coronavirus. Most chains will close at 20:00, the exception is Ok Market which closes at 21:00. The opening hours vary between 7: 300 and 9:00. Central Mayorista is the one that opens earlier. Tottus works from 8:00, like some Jumbo and Santa Isabel stores; Acuenta, Líder and Cugat super winery at 8:30. Some also announced exclusive times for older adults. In Unimarc this is from 9:00 to 10:00 in the morning. At Jumbo they will attend you between 8:00 and 10:00.
- CAP: applied teleworking to keep operations active and reduced company costs.
Other measures to take when the coronavirus progresses
These are examples of what companies in Chile have done to face the advance of COVID-19. Taking into account that the recommendations to stop the disease include social isolation and improve hygiene habits, there are other recommendations that businesses can follow:
- Promote telework and, if it is not possible, establish different working hours.
- Conduct online meetings and events instead of face-to-face.
- Avoid work travel.
- Increase the use of digital media for both regular operations and customer contact.
- If you are starting your business, you don't have to stop the project completely. Find out what procedures you can do online like Trade mark or from the same company.
- Prioritize essential expenses and avoid those that can wait.
- It contributes to the continuous sanitation of the company to prevent the spread of the virus. The faster we finish this, the more we can all go back to our daily tasks.
This can also be a good time for worker training. Encourage your participation in online courses, there is a wide offer both free and paid.
Given the expansion of the coronavirus in Chile, this is what companies do against COVID-19. Here are several examples that you can learn from to make relevant decisions about your business. Remember that the measures you take must be adjusted to your reality.
