North West business groups say Boris Johnson's latest announcements on an end to lockdown are just the start and that that companies need more information on what will happen next.
Following Mr Johnson's statement on Sunday night about a roadmap to recovery, the Government published a 50-page strategy document with more details - and the Prime Minister himself later addressed the House of Commons to take questions.
People who cannot work from home – and in sectors such as manufacturing, food production and construction – will urged back to work.
Garden centres will also reopen shortly. More generally, non-essential retail including clothes shops could be allowed to open in June if they can show they can keep people safe.
Businesses in hospitality including pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, accommodation, gyms and cinemas will be closed until at least July. International travellers will have to quarantine for 14 days on arrival in the 海角视频.
Meanwhile people will be allowed outdoors for unlimited exercise in activities such as tennis, golf, lawn bowls and basketball. Cultural and sporting events will be able to take place behind closed doors for broadcast from next month, thereby avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Johnson praised the “indomitable spirit of Britain”, but he told the Commons: “If the data goes the wrong way, if the alert level begins to rise, we will have no hesitation in putting on the brakes and delaying or reintroducing measures locally, regionally, or nationally.”
He added: “Our challenge is to find a way forward that preserves our hard won gains, while easing the burden of lockdown and I’ll be candid with the house this is a supremely difficult balance to strike.”
Chambers say : This is just the start
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Paul Cherpeau, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said the country needed more clear guidance - and that the Government should work with businesses.
He said: "The Chamber welcomes the government's production of its roadmap to recovery as merely the start of the economic battle against Covid19 which must now precipitate a period of clarity and unambiguous guidance and leadership to enable businesses to safely restart and recover.
"Following the Prime Minister's Sunday evening address to the nation, there was considerable confusion and uncertainty about the specific obligations for businesses and their people. It is helpful to see some of this ambiguity addressed but further dialogue with businesses is essential to ensure the inevitable gaps can be addressed.
"Businesses will be required to make careful and difficult judgements about how and when they scale up operations. The guidance produced does not supersede business' legal obligations relating to health & safety and employment. Enabling the maximum support is available to help them is crucial to a successful and safe restart.
"Whilst there remain considerable challenges, several Liverpool companies have either maintained or recommenced safe operations amidst the outbreak. These companies have undertaken substantial risk assessments, adjustments to work patterns and processes and adapted to the prevailing environment to ensure safety and security for employees. It can be done but not without significant planning and careful implementation."
Mr Cherpeau said it would take time for businesses to maker the necessary adjustments to keep their staff safe.
He added: "The imperatives for many businesses will remain the generation and management of cash in the business, a tapering rather than cessation of existing support mechanisms, the mitigation of threats to employee health and a swift, flexible and dynamic approach to business support as required for scale up or lockdown
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"Amidst this unprecedented moment in our modern history, the economic restart requires ongoing partnership between government, businesses and their employees."
Paula Basnett, CEO of Wirral Chamber of Commerce, also called at the weekend for more information from Government.
Meanwhile Chris Fletcher, policy, campaigns and communications director at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are at the start of this and whilst health issues remain top priority over the coming months the challenges of getting the economy back on track will be huge.
"One thing is for sure - the view of business will be vital to help guide the path to recovery."
Aerospace industry deeply concerned at quarantine news
Key players in the aerospace industry criticised the Government's plans to introduce a 14-day quarantine for international air passengers.
Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways parent company IAG, was giving evidence to the Commons Transport Select Committee about the demand for air travel. He said: “We had been planning to resume – on a pretty significant basis – our flying in July.
“I think we’d have to review that based on what the Prime Minister said yesterday.”
He said BA, which flies to several destinations from Manchester, would have a “pretty minimal” capacity to operate if quarantine were imposed.
He added: “Despite the fact that there had been some rumours about this quarantine period, I don’t think anybody believed that the 海角视频 Government would actually implement it if they were serious about getting the economy moving again.”
Meanwhile aerospace and defence trade body ADS, whose members include BAE Systems and Airbus, said tens oif thousands of jobs were at risk in the sector .It estimated that delays in deliveries of new aircraft could cost the 海角视频 £5bn in lost value in 2020.
Chief executive Paul Everitt said: "This crisis puts at risk tens of thousands of high value jobs across the 海角视频, with long lasting damage to our vital manufacturing base and to the prosperity of communities in every part of the country.
“We welcome publication of this new strategy, but it is now essential that the Government works with industry to put in place the measures needed to support businesses through this challenging period and towards a return to long-term growth.
“Industry is looking to Government for clear advice on safe working conditions, consistency in approach across the 海角视频, and to make sure support reaches businesses quickly to avoid unnecessary job losses.
“A rapid restart and strong recovery are fundamental to protecting jobs, retaining skills, and unlocking investment.”
Recruitment boss says PM has 'brought hope back to 海角视频 industry'
Ged Mason, CEO of Salford-based recruitment firm the Morson Group, was upbeat about the PM's Sunday statement.
He said: “The Prime Minister’s announcement has brought hope and confidence back to 海角视频 industry, particularly to those technical and complex sectors which had essentially ground to a halt under the lockdown restrictions. By modifying the measures and allowing those employers whose workforces cannot operate from home to return to work is the next logical phase in ensuring our economy can bounce back from the global pandemic.
“Businesses had already begun turning their attention to planning a return to work road map and how this would work in practice by safeguarding the health, safety and wellbeing of their entire workforce.
"Whilst there is no one-size-fits-all methodology and guidance, with each workplace facing their own individual challenges, organisations can adopt the same proactive approach to managing risk, delivering a safe transition and to mitigating the spread of infection.
“Assessing risk and taking appropriate action will be fundamental."
He added: “It would be naïve to assume that once the lockdown is lifted, everything will return to normal. Workplaces, and how we use them, will be significantly different to those we left behind in March, with measures such as social distancing being a new way of life for the foreseeable future."
Union says workers need much more information
Jay McKenna, TUC North West acting regional secretary, said workers needed much more information than the government was offering.
He said: “Workers deserve certainty but there can be no going back to normal.
“We all want to come through this crisis, together and strong enough to recover from it. But the way that you do this, is working together to do it at the right time and with proper plans in place. This means having safe returns to work and plans for how work might look in the short and longer term.
“Trade unions have played an important role in getting us through this crisis to date, working with local leaders to keep services running and workers safe. As we enter the next phase, and look at how we return to work, workers must be heard to keep it safe and ensure there is no going back to what went before.
“It is important that the government gives more information so that we can have confidence it can work. Without this, it is a recipe for confusion and chaos.”