The third COVID wave? 7 out of 10 entrepreneurs fear a new business shutdown
The coronavirus pandemic continues to significantly affect the business environment. Beyond the losses of 2020, 7 out of 10 entrepreneurs currently fear that the third COVID wave, which has already swept through Western countries, could once again block their operations, according to the results of an opinion barometer conducted by Frames, commissioned by the "Protejăm România" Employers' Association.
57% of entrepreneurs believe that the effects of the pandemic will be felt at least until the beginning of 2022. Only 22% believe that the economy will get back on track in the second half of this year, while 19% say they do not know how the situation will evolve.
Before we can even talk about an economic recovery, 62% of those interviewed fear that the situation will worsen from an epidemiological point of view, and only 15% view the prospects with optimism.
The main fear is related to the imposition of new restrictions that would affect the business environment, a concern mentioned by 72% of respondents.
Also on the list of challenges are, in the foreground, rising prices, mentioned by 43% of those surveyed, intensifying financial blockages (29%), declining sales (21%), and payment obligations (taxes, duties, bank installments, leases, etc.), mentioned by 19%.
THE DANGER OF RELAXATION
According to the barometer results, business people are concerned about the way Romanians have started to treat the COVID danger.
58% of respondents state that, against the backdrop of vaccination, they see a relaxation among Romanians, a fact that risks leading to an increase in the number of infections.
"The vaccination campaign has brought added confidence regarding the prospects of overcoming the pandemic but, unfortunately, it has also influenced people's preventive behavior. In many institutions/companies, protection measures have relaxed prematurely. Wearing masks, using disinfectants, and social distancing must continue, regardless of vaccination dynamics," the barometer's conclusions show.
When asked what measures they have taken to protect themselves against the COVID danger, most respondents mentioned wearing protective masks (92%), using disinfectants (67%), reorganizing workspaces (52%), and using temperature monitoring instruments (32%).
CERTIFIED PRODUCTS IN THE FOREGROUND
"Compared to the previous barometer, from discussions with entrepreneurs, we have noticed that they are much more attentive to the quality of sanitary safety products than last year. After numerous examples of coronavirus outbreaks in 2020 resulted from the use of unauthorized products (masks, disinfectants) that practically offered no protection at all, at the beginning of this year, things are quite different. The vast majority of respondents (81%) state that they only purchase products approved by the Ministry of Health, masks and disinfectants whose quality is officially proven and certified," the research conclusions state.
On the list of purchasing criteria, beyond Ministry of Health certification, respondents also mentioned the brand/make (62%), price (58%), country of origin (32%), and availability (16%).
A PROTECTION STANDARD FOR A NEW COVID WAVE
The barometer commissioned by the "Protejăm România" Employers' Association also reveals an interesting fact. 73% of the entrepreneurs surveyed say they have no guarantee that the sanitary protection measures they have implemented are truly effective.
When asked on what basis they made purchases and implemented sanitary safety measures, 53% stated that they got their information from the public space, 24% turned to state institutions, and only 17% contracted the services of a specialized firm. The rest avoided answering.
"Beyond the solutions promoted in the mass media, the measures to reorganize workspaces, and the provision of masks and disinfectant products, there is a need for a standardization of specific sanitary protection measures that goes beyond the scope of the current pandemic. We have started discussions with the authorities and are working together with experts in the field to provide the business environment with such an instrument built in accordance with national legislation and European standards in the field," the barometer's conclusions also state.
The barometer "The business environment in the context of COVID – 2nd Edition" was carried out by the consulting company Frames, commissioned by the "Protejăm România" Employers' Association, between January 14-20, 2021, through online questionnaires, telephone, and email, on a representative sample of 230 companies from various fields of activity, from trade to financial services, HORECA, agriculture, energy, clothing, IT, etc. A total of 1117 people responded to the barometer.
The profile of the respondents consisted of entrepreneurs, company managers, and middle and top management, 58% men and 42% women, with an average age of 45.
The "Protejăm România" Employers' Association represents an initiative of companies in the sanitary safety products sector (disinfectants, gloves, masks, specific materials, etc.). The purpose of the employer organization is to lay the foundations for an integrated industry of sanitary safety solutions that ensures the necessary products for the domestic market and exports, and to promote the legislation needed to ensure a safe business environment in Romania.
