"coronavirus" - Update 10 / Return to Work?

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) provide the following update for members / industry on the coronavirus situation.

Last week government authorities in China were advising that with the exception of Hubei province ( February 13) other provinces would return to work after the extended Chinese New Year holiday on February 9. However from talking to industry and receipt of notices from various lines the full return to work for many cities may now be February 17.

In discussion with a number of forwarders and review of global publications it would appear the return to work is to be much slower than anticipated with many employees wary about returning to an open environment with other people

Forwarder contacts, supported by news reports, comment in general that many provinces / cities are being advised to manage the return to work in the best interest of their employees. Some forwarders we have spoken too advise that Shenzhen and Ningbo still remain closed, albeit their is work from home arrangements in place. This however does not assist the physical movement of cargoes destined for Australia or to be received into China.

Our forwarding contacts also advise that the "return to work" for Hubei province is now scheduled for February 17. Information, as of Feb 6,  from Ocean Network Express (ONE) is that they do not expect to have return to work in their offices in China till February 17 

The feeling within the community is that any return to work and full capacity will be a slow build and the lower volumes of cargo moving may extend into early / mid March. 

Some links / facts that members / industry may find of interest into the broader issues of the virus and the impacts are shown below;

• schools are not going back till end of February
• corporations are encouraging anyone with a laptop / remote access to work form home
• the coronavirus and freight forwarding (TT Club article)
• what are the insurance implications
• global overview
• shipping notifications 

Whilst there may be directives being issued as regards work nationally it seems many provinces / cities / corporations are erring on the side of caution and suggesting that a slower return to work may be appropriate given the scope of the virus and the concern in the community.

FTA suggest members / industry maintain close relations with their forwarders , agents , shipping lines, suppliers and clients in China to ensure they have the latest information available.

To stay abreast of all developments and general information concerning the Novel Coronavirus we suggest members maintain a watching brief on the Department of Health website 

FTA will continue to monitor issues surrounding the coronavirus and keep members updated as necessary.