A COVID-19 special: Businesses need to be innovative

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Bargain Box Fiji Ltd staff member Ragni Devi, left and manager Aachal Sharma in masks serve customers at their stores. Picture: ATU RASEA

Many businesses have had to take an innovative approach through social media advertisements and advocacy to keep their businesses afloat and attract customers during COVID-19 says the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation chief executive officer Kameli Batiweti.

Mr Batiweti said the pandemic has been a drastic set-back for employers and employees since 2020 with the second wave making things much more difficult for employers to keep their businesses afloat and retain staff members. He said the pandemic has caused many implications for businesses and individuals.

Many businesses had to take the approach of reorganising work to try and keep as many employees employed during this unprecedented times.

“Businesses need to get a bit more innovative and transition their business to function during a pandemic and get ideas on how to advertise and sell their products amid restrictions such as having an online portal (page or website) through which they can continue to sell their products,” Mr Batiweti said.

“Businesses can always reach out to Business Link Pacifi c who is one of FCEF’s partners and they can be assisted by having a business continuity plan created for their business, have their businesses diagnosed and come up with solutions.”

Now that the borders have re-opened he says this would provide many businesses an ease in conducting its operations where they no longer have to apply for permits to travel to other branches around Viti Levu.

“Businesses can also open for longer hours resulting in more sales which will help them recover some losses sustained during the second wave from April 2021.

“During this pandemic many have had to stay away from their loved ones to avoid spreading the virus and this has caused them to miss out on many special family occasions or moments however now that the containment borders are open people can reconnect with their families keeping in mind the protocols that have been placed for their safety.”

Mr Batiweti added that it was important for those going back to work to be fully vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones at home from the virus. The vaccine he says provides a shield to people when they are at work in case they engage with a person who is a carrier of the virus the person’s immune system has the ability to fight the virus given they have taken the two doses.

While everyone looks forward to the day the country will re-open our international border he says a condition imposed by most countries for quarantine free travel is that at least 80 per cent of the eligible population be fully vaccinated. “It is no secret that Fiji needs the Tourism business to restart, and restart as soon as possible.

“The Tourism business will not get back to pre- COVID-19 numbers for a while, and is a very important element on the recovery of our economy.

“But, it all hinges on the number of fully vaccinated Fijians and those who intend to take advantage of our tourism business.”

Mr Batiweti said he hoped through the pandemic businesses have learnt to adapt to operating their businesses in an innovative manner that would allow them to continue their normal functions as one should not forget that the virus has not left our shores and we do not know for how long it would stay.

“We should all continue to practice the COVID-19 safe protocols to avoid the spread of the virus and encourage our loved ones to get vaccinated to reach 100 per cent vaccination rates in our adult population.

“Please get fully vaccinated and people should continue to take heed of the Ministry of Health’s advisories and get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

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