Business continuity planning needs to anticipate worst-case scenarios

WITH a rapidly-changing Covid-19 outbreak situation - and the resulting shifts in government policies - it is more crucial than ever for companies to have thorough business continuity plans, and update them frequently in anticipation of developments.

The past weekend gave a taste of how swiftly things can change. From Sunday at 11.59pm, Singapore blocked entry or transit for visitors with travel history to Italy, France, Spain and Germany within the last 14 days, amid a surge of Covid-19 cases in Europe.

On Sunday, the Health Ministry (MOH) advised Singaporeans to defer all non-essential travel for the next 30 days, and imposed more restrictions on inbound travellers. From Monday at 11.59pm, travellers from Japan, Switzerland, the UK and Asean countries entering Singapore will be issued with 14-day stay-home notices.