June 2020 Monthly Blog – What will be the new normal?

All over the planet, countries are cautiously starting to emerge from lockdown after the coronavirus pandemic – rather like citizens who emerge uncertainly, blinking into the daylight of some kind of post-apocalyptic world. It’s clear that some countries have fared better than others. The UK which, before the last decade’s austerity measures, laid claim to a high level of pandemic preparedness, has so far suffered the highest COVID-19 death toll after the USA. Mercifully the Nightingale hospitals appeared to have not been necessary – but they provided a useful insurance policy. The virus remains in circulation however – undiminished in its lethality. Whilst it’s vital to kick start economies back into life, governments are cautious of starting a second wave of infections. So what will the “new normal” look like to prevent a second outbreak – which could turn out to be even worse than the first? Our lives will change – and not just over the forthcoming year

• Companies and employees have realised that it’s feasible for staff to work from home for far longer than previously envisaged. This raises questions about whether towns and cities will need as much office space in future – will some office blocks be re-purposed?
• In the shorter term, people who do need to commute, and who live too far away to walk or cycle, may reject public transport in favour of single-occupancy cars. If we are to avoid a return to traffic chaos, companies might need to stagger the usual 9 - 5 hours routine with a more flexible approach.
• The layout of workplaces will change, with employers using their ingenuity to design one-way pedestrian flows, separate workstations, reduce the number of touch-surfaces, and discourage congregation around communal areas. We may even see moves away from hot-desking back to the sole-occupancy offices of yesteryear.
• Shoppers will have to practise considerable patience, with long queues outside entrances, and a one-way shuffle behind the slowest shopper. Woe betide anyone who overlooks a purchase and tries to double back against the flow!
• Quarantine laws will restrict the number of holiday destinations and indeed many Brits will eschew overseas travel altogether for staycations. Fewer airline flights may lead to a vicious circle of rising ticket prices and redundancies throughout the travel industry
• Restaurant seating arrangements will alter and the more progressive eateries will take diners’ orders via a mobile phone app, not printed menus.
• Business procedures will change as companies try to reinforce their supply chains and build fatter reserves into balance sheets as a hedge against future global disruptions (which may not necessarily be disease-related disruptions).  Hoarding money however will leave less available for new investments.

A new etiquette The above are just a few predictions from my crystal ball-gazing. I have been impressed by how, for the most part, citizens have shown stoicism, generosity and consideration in their social-distancing measures.  My rose-tinted spectacles project a view of us becoming more protective toward the poor, the ethnic minorities, and the elderly who bore the brunt of COVID-19.

• Perhaps we will appreciate more those lowly-paid essential workers who kept the country running whilst the rest of us remained safely furloughed.
• We will be more accepting of new technology, fret less about privacy issues, and become more efficient by not always needing to travel for face-to-face appointments.
• Handshakes, hugs, kisses and pats on the shoulder may become frowned upon – perhaps to the relief of some!
• In decades to come, like previous generations, those of us who lived through traumatic world events will reminisce about our shared experiences and talk about life in the good old days – knowing that things will never be quite the same again.

We have to start planning for the new normal – and Arinite is here to serve you.

Contact us

If you have any questions regarding COVID-19 or coronavirus risk assessments that you feel we may able to help with please do not hesitate in making contact, please call our office 0207 947 9581, or type an enquiry to: https://www.arinite.com/contact-us/. Jan Mirkowski