Coronavirus and the knock on effects

The Coronavirus as we now know, has a 2 week incubation period producing flue like symptoms and causing death in extreme cases. Yes, there has been a few reported cases here in the UK and as far as we have been told, the virus has been contained in this country.

But, what about the Coronavirus causing a knock on effect? It’s happening here, right now in the Uk and more specifically, here in Suffolk and it seems to go unreported daily.

There are many companies, small business and self employed people having a knock on effect in one way or another and, the effects are enormous from business to home life.

Speaking to people from all these areas of business, people are quoting -“they have never worked harder just to keep a roof over their heads”

Felixstowe port

Felixstowe container port is one of the largest in Europe with many commodities being shipped from China to Felixstowe, and then collected by truck on to their final destination. This is a normal procedure involving many companies and people on all levels, from the start of the journey through to the final destination.

As it stands today, Felixstowe container port is pretty much empty and with Approximately 20,000 containers missing from the key-side. Normally these containers would be sitting there on a rolling in out scenario waiting to be collected by truck.

These containers would have arrived over 25 container ships through January and February but, because of the outbreak of coronavirus, this didn’t happen.

Custom and excise will not allow any ships to dock from China and this is because products are normally wrapped in plastic bubblewrap. The fears are, possibly the Coronavirus could be trapped within the air of the bubblewrap.

From a reliable sauce, quote – “It could take anything up to, another 2 months before we see the arrival of a container ship from China”. Smaller ships are still continuing to arrive at Felixstowe port from Europe trying to fill the gapes.

Knock on effect

Since the Coronavirus outbreak, all movement of goods has ceased from China causing havoc for our industries and people alike.

The knock on effects has now started, many companies can not sustain the loss of movement of goods and causing jobs to be lost and, ultimately closure of companies. Just over a week ago, “Go Freight” lost their battle to stay a float with an instant closure and tacking 50 trucks immediately off our roads.

When you think about it, the loss of this one company alone will effected so many lives, the drivers, sub-contractors, office staff right down to a lunchtime sandwich supplier and the list is endless.

There is no blame here, who could have predicted such catastrophic events!  Under these cruel circumstances, the situation suggest, we will see many more companies following this sad path and many people left jobless to struggle on.

It’s scary times out there at the moment, we as a whole can only do our best to try and survive with the cards we are dealt.

Try to stay strong because you/we/I, will get through this crisis.

Thank you for reading this post, if I have missed something or you believe something else should be said, please contact me at your earliest on 07504937253

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As always take care of you and yours

Sue x

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