How long will it take for the transport industry to recover after COVID-19?
A recent survey by transport solicitors Backhouse Jones has shown that more than four in ten companies within the industry think it will take longer than a year to return to pre-COVID-19 levels of work.
With more than 200 companies surveyed, they found that 31% believe it will take between nine months and a year to return to normality, with a further 43% saying it will take longer than twelve months. Of the remainder, 11% said they believe it would take six and nine months, 12% between three and six months and 3% less than three months.
The survey followed the government’s announcement that they would release a series of papers outlining its approach on how to safely and gradually restart the economy, with prime minister Boris Johnson saying that the UK has now passed the peak of the virus outbreak.
In order to create this plan, trade bodies, businesses and unions have been asked how they think the economy should be restarted, with the final proposals more than likely to be split down by working environment rather than sector.
Alongside this, the FTA has urged the government to provide clear guidance about the use of PPE in the workplace.
Elizabeth de Jong, FTA policy director, has said “A robust, fully functional supply chain is at the heart of any business recovery and our members are totally committed to getting UK PLC back on its feet after the problems caused by COVID-19. But production, manufacturing and logistics will only be able to function effectively if there is confidence that this can be done safely. Clear and trusted advice on how to work safely is vital.”
