What we’ve learned so far in 2020 is that things can change from one moment to the next in ways that resonate around the globe. In a matter of days, the spread of COVID-19 had entire countries shutting down their borders and local states and territories issuing mandatory stay-at-home orders for any reason considered non-essential. Even now, as borders begin to reopen, the impact of this pandemic on employee travel security and business travel has still not been completely quantified.
This recent update on re-openings will probably continue to change and expand daily but it’s a positive sign for businesses whose operations require international travel: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ceciliarodriguez/2020/06/12/europe-open-for-travel-now-/#56f09f5925af
For a number of companies, business travel stopped entirely for a period of time. Organizations have scrambled to find short-term remote solutions. Now that travel is resuming it’s a good time to look at your emergency planning and ask how you can support your essential business travelers and help alleviate any fears they may have about their safety.
Consider a review of your travel program with an eye on travel safety in general. If you are sending employees to countries where coronavirus has been a concern, for example, do you have defined ways to assist them in the event they fall ill in a foreign city? Have you thought about pre-arranging secure transportation for them in higher-risk areas? Do you require them to follow certain practices during or quarantine after they travel? These are but a few of the new travel safety concerns businesses must consider in order to avoid sending their employees into potentially risky situations.
Recent civil unrest in the United States has added another layer of potential risk to business travelers. The widespread shutdowns and effect on various cities should get you thinking about what pre-travel intelligence might help keep your employees out of harm’s way. Does your company monitor global events and actively reach out to traveling employees in the event they are in an area where civil unrest is predicted or ongoing? Do you have resources in place to assist them if they suddenly need to leave an area?
As you consider your approach to employee travel security during this critical time, we urge to remember that your people are your greatest assets. As experts in travel safety, we encourage organizations to put their people first and ensure they are prepared for the safest travels possible as we move forward, together as one business community, in these new and constantly changing times.
IMG GlobalSecur Employee Travel Security Services
IMG GlobalSecur has decades of experience in the security industry. Our team of safety experts stands ready to help you alleviate travel fears with our corporate travel security services including executive travel security expertise and more. In addition, our FoneTrac safety app backed with 24/7 on-call security professionals can assist you in staying safe while away from home or office. Contact us today!