The chair of Business in the Community’s Business Action on Health campaign has warned businesses to have a swine flu contingency plan in place.

Bro McFerran said: “The social disruption, economic loss, and general hardship caused by a pandemic are much higher than that caused by epidemic. It will affect business, employees, customers and suppliers. A flexible plan is essential for businesses.”

Business in the Community’s Business Action on Health campaign has produced a guide called Planning for Pandemic, endorsed by the Public Health Agency.

The Planning for Pandemic toolkit is aimed mainly at small to medium sized enterprises and provides a simple model showing how to tackle a pandemic crisis in the workplace.

It offers solutions to help safeguard employees and protect businesses and brings together the experience of local businesses, as well as guidance from the Public Health Agency.

Dr Carolyn Harper, director of Public Health/medical director of the Public Health Agency said: “People are the greatest asset of any business and the threat posed by the current swine flu pandemic is clearly giving employers cause for concern. Many are considering how they can prepare for the consequences of the current pandemic or others that may appear.

“The Public Health Agency commends Business in the Community for this timely toolkit. We hope all businesses will download this guide, communicate with their employees and implement robust measures to protect their employees and their business.”

For more information visit www.bitcni.org.uk.