For families and communities across Scotland, these really are unsettling times. Although lockdown protocols have been in place for some time, I still can’t get used to seeing the streets so empty. Coronavirus has changed daily life as we know it, and business is no different.

In the past few weeks, we’ve spoken a lot about the impact that coronavirus has had on firms across Scotland, and the need to treat this as both a public health and economic emergency. We’ve stressed that health and safety come first, whether among family or colleagues, talked about clarity around workplace guidelines and been thankful for quick interventions from government, both Scottish and UK, to protect lives and livelihoods.

Today I want to look at something different - the role businesses are playing helping those at the frontline of the fight against coronavirus. Not just the companies staying open to keep the country moving or ensuring we have vital food and medical supplies on our shelves. I want to talk about those that are switching their operations, innovating daily and doing what they can to support the doctors, nurses and carers that we rely on so heavily right now.

We’ve already seen numerous examples of Scotland’s world class breweries and distilleries switching production to manufacture much-needed hand-sanitiser, as well as firms stepping forward to provide them with the bottles they need to get the finished products into the hands of healthcare professionals.

But there’s still one key blockage that looms far too large – the need for personal protective equipment (PPE). Essential masks and gowns are in short supply in some of our hospitals and care homes, and that’s why the CBI has launched a PPE challenge to ask all businesses what they can do to fill the gap and protect our frontline health and care workers. By really ramping-up supply we can also make sure that those performing essential jobs in our factories, post offices and delivery vans are properly protected too.

The response has been outstanding, with Scottish companies already stepping-up to provide masks and ventilators. But more is needed, and we’d ask anyone with the skills, experience and expertise, be that manufacturers, logistics specialists or professional services firms, to come forward.

Alongside all of this we have local companies making clear commitments to their communities, whether through specific activities – like getting groceries to those isolated or housebound – or investment in community foodbanks and hardship funds. We also have energy and financial services firms supporting those struggling to pay bills by offering payment holidays to help them through the crisis.

Overcoming the public health and economic challenge posed by Covid-19 needs a collective response from government, from civic society and from business – as well as individuals. While we know that some firms aren’t living up to the standards we’d expect, the overwhelming majority are putting employees, communities and our NHS heroes first.

Good businesses know those with the broadest shoulders should carry the greatest burden. They also understand their civic duty. Whether it’s your local pharmacy, shop or supermarket or the people getting supplies to where they’re needed most, business has a role to play in our Covid-19 response, at international, national and community level.

Clapping for the NHS is a wonderful initiative to let our health and care workers know how much we value their brave contributions. But we also need to match that with action. That means supporting them as they look after our loved ones by getting them the PPE they urgently require. Business will stand proudly alongside government to make sure that happens.

Tracy Black is the director of CBI Scotland.

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