The business sector is being told to prepare for a dramatic surge in Omicron cases - but beyond the masks and QR codes we’ve now become used to, what should that preparation look like?

Here are some of the key considerations for creating a successful business continuity plan:

Identify essential workers

Identify the people who are absolutely critical to your operations, then ensure they have backup. If only one or two people can perform vital tasks, look at training someone else to cover for them. If this isn’t possible, create detailed manuals and check how well others can follow the instructions, to ensure everything is captured.

Talk to your suppliers

Check what measures your suppliers are taking, in case you need to allow extra time for orders and so you know who to contact if your main contact is away. You’ll also need to know whether you’re on the priority list if your supplier is forced to reduce deliveries, so you can arrange alternative products or sources if required and give your own customers accurate information.

Examine your workflows

Consider how (or whether) you can safely operate with fewer staff if need be, including opening shorter hours or offering a reduced service. If possible, spread the risk by working in split teams or splitting the workforce into different bubbles. It’s also a good idea to get in touch with workforce agencies early as a backup if that would work.

Go through your finances

Try to keep cash in reserve for tougher periods, and know your support entitlements.

The COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment is available for businesses (and the self-employed) to cover staff if they or anyone in their household is waiting for test results at home. Note that it does not apply to Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) because the results are quick.

The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme is also available to cover employees (and the self-employed) if they are self-isolating due to COVID-19 and can't work at home. This scheme also covers wages if your employee's household includes anyone who is self-isolating or in a high-risk group.

Have a communications plan

Planning how you will inform staff and stakeholders about various scenarios (while protecting privacy) will reduce their stress, boost compliance and build goodwill. Be honest about what’s happening and why you’re taking certain measures, and give people the opportunity to feed back about concerns or any issues you’ve missed so you can take steps to support them.

The next few months may be some of the most challenging yet, but the upside is there’s a lot businesses can do to manage the risks. Business.govt.nz has very useful guidance and toolkits to help you prepare. Talk to a business advisor or accountant about your options and what other businesses are doing that might work for you.