Running a business in Auckland is a bit of a worry at the moment. First off, we’ve had to contend with months of roadworks in the CBD — at least 30 projects are currently on the go. And, now there’s the dreaded COVID-19, otherwise known as Coronavirus.
The economic impact
Are we concerned about the Coronavirus? Of course. It’s definitely hurting some businesses, predominantly those involved in imports and exports or tourism and hospitality. According to the NZ Herald, central Auckland restaurant and hospitality industries are losing about $6 million per week. That’s a lot of money.
The waste industry
As far as our industry goes (construction and domestic waste), we don’t believe we’ll take too much of a hit if things get worse. The government is pushing for more housing, and we don’t think things will change in that regard. Thanks to restrictions, we do have a new machine stuck in China at the moment, but that’s just a nuisance. We’ll survive.
Our domestic waste business may drop off if consumers become conservative about what they spend. Many may put their earnings into stocking up on consumables. Have you seen the embarrassing fight over toilet paper at a Woolworths in Australia (see below)? You’d be forgiven for thinking that an apocalypse was coming! And, so in that case, booking a Pink Bin could be a low priority amid the media-driven hysteria.
Like any business reliant on people to operate, we’re aware that we could lose several members of staff at any one time to the virus. Heck, we’re not saying that they’re going to die, but they may have to self-isolate for a couple of weeks if they get infected. If that happens, there will be an impact on how much work we can get through each day. In a way, we are lucky because many of our operational team can work from home — thank goodness for modern technology!
Top tips for reducing the spread
We have always promoted good hygiene and encouraged our staff to wash their hands regularly. Here are some simple things that you can do to slow down the spread of the Coronavirus:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds — don’t forget to clean between your fingers.
- Never cough or sneeze into your hands. Doing so can spread germs to people you come into contact with and contaminate objects that you touch. Instead, use a handkerchief or tissue or the inside of your elbow.
- Try not to touch your face because germs can easily enter your body through your mouth and eyes.
Hopefully, things will get back to normal soon. But, we guess we’ll have to wait and see what the virus brings.
Keep safe.
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