The Risk Management Institute of Australasia (RMIA) will host a series of one-day workshops to help businesses mitigate the operational, financial, and reputational risks posed by coronavirus (COVID-19).

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The move follows the Morrison government’s activation of the emergency response plan and its one-week extension of the travel ban to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

The sessions will be held in Sydney on March 10, Melbourne on March 13, and Brisbane on March 17, to assist risk managers, occupational health and safety managers, and human resources in developing plans to protect the health and safety of their employees, deal with the challenges in their supply chain, and keep their businesses operating as the dangerous contagion spreads.

“The workshops will be led by industry experts who will deliver comprehensive information and tools to help organisations manage their business continuity and crisis plans in order to mitigate against the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jason Smith, RMIA CEO and executive director. “The crisis around the coronavirus has clearly moved to the next level with the Australian government expecting the virus to move to a pandemic phase and stepping up measures to prepare authorities for what is likely to be a sustained period of instability and disruption.”

A pandemic outbreak could last up to 10 months, with about 40% of the country’s workforce sidelined by illness or caring for family members. The crisis could also deal a 10% blow to Australia’s GDP, according to media reports.

“From what we understand, emergency measures are set to be deployed at hospitals, schools, and aged care facilities,” Smith said. “Some hospitals are preparing coronavirus specific wards, while schools are expected to be prepped for a pandemic response that could result in classes being reduced or cancelled. Border Force personnel have been called in to escalate screening at airports, as cases of the flu-like virus grow across the region. Our workshops will help managers identify the issues most likely to impact their business operations and ensure they are doing all they can to protect the health and safety of staff.”