First of all, there is the human cost. My heart goes out to the families of those who have succumbed to the disease. Hearing how 88-year-old Darrell Blackley spent his final days in hospital, his family isolated in a nearby room with only an intercom to communicate with him brought home the reality of the situation. 

This is not something happening on the other side of the world. It is on our doorstep and it was heartbreaking to think of a son cocooned in a haz-mat suit and being given 15 minutes to say goodbye to his father – days before he was expected to die.

Medical staff are doing all they can to get a handle on this contagious virus, but with the sheer numbers involved, the already-stretched NHS faces an uphill struggle. This is why we are being asked to comply with draconian measures to try and contain the outbreak.

And while the headlines may largely have been grabbed by those stockpiling toilet roll, hand sanitiser and paracetamol, the response of businesses has been sobering.

The outbreak and medical advice has affected businesses of all sizes and the self-employed and family firms have been hit on both the commercial and personal levels.

Louis Vuitton’s parent company has announced it will switch production from perfume to hand sanitiser and the motor industry has been asked to collaborate to produce much-needed ventilators for hospitals.

Friends in the hair and beauty industry are seeing clients cancel in their droves and, although they do not get paid if they are not working, they have welcomed and supported people’s decisions.

Precautions

I had two meetings scheduled this week. Within seconds of Monday’s tougher advice from the government, I was on the phone to see if they wanted to cancel or reschedule. I was assured it is business as usual, with extra soap and hand sanitisers on standby. The boss has a supply of toilet rolls in his car to accommodate nearly 20 staff on site. This isn’t unnecessary stockpiling - you can’t compromise a million-pound order because you don’t have any toilet roll.

Shortly after returning from that meeting, I had a call from the second appointment to say they would be operating with a skeleton staff and we would have to cancel to protect their employees. Completely understandable. The decision has affected the productivity of their business and is not one they have taken lightly.

The financial assistance offered by the government is a welcome intervention. It may not be ideal or make a difference to all businesses, but everything helps.

Ultimately, business owners have to look after the welfare of staff and clients, as well as pay the bills – while keeping a roof over their own heads.

But at the moment, businesses, customers and the people generally seem to understand and appreciate the decisions being taken.

Whether you decide to keep your doors open, provide a reduced service, or close, the vital thing is to let people know what you are doing.

If you are staying open, inform people of your hygiene regimes and how they can help – particularly staying away if they have any symptoms.

Likewise, explain why you have reduced services or taken the difficult decision to close.

Do not think people will assume it is business as usual. It is anything but.

Whatever you decide, please stay safe and look after each other.