Officials Warn B.C. Businesses Must Prepare to Have One-third of Staff Absent Due to Omicron
B.C. health officials warned on January 4 that many BC businesses could soon be dealing with additional staffing shortages due to the rapid spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
With unprecedented levels of transmission occurring in communities, PHO Dr. Bonnie Henry urged business owners to start putting together contingency plans so they can keep operating if a significant number of employees are forced to call in sick.
Case numbers have repeatedly broken all-time records in recent weeks to the point that officials estimate actual transmission could be up to five times higher given that testing capacity is at maximum levels.
Dr. Henry said the government is not imposing any more COVID-19 restrictions yet, only urging businesses to prepare themselves for potential disruptions.