The Coronavirus in China is having a direct impact on our UK supply. There is and will be an ongoing shortage of all types of disposable masks and type 5/6 disposable coveralls. Even when the factories are back up and running (see below), all production of these products are being held and used by the Chinse government, as they do not have enough masks to meet their current demand.
We are continually monitoring the situation and liaising with our suppliers and supply chain partners to give you the most up to date information available, as we try to manage the distribution and delays for these products.
THE DELAYS EXPLAINED:
The 10th February was the official return to work day for suppliers in most China provinces. Shippers are required to submit applications to local governments to resume work, permission is granted only if they can demonstrate that they have strict hygiene and safety measures in place. Many offices and factories have successfully re-opened, although most are not fully operational due to the low level of employee attendance. Most local authorities in China have imposed a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for workers returning from another province, and this has affected staffing.
Major suppliers still indicate that around 70% are returning to work this week, leaving a significant number that will not re-open until the 17th February or later. There are also some exceptions to the 10th February start date; in Guangzhou, Foshan and Nanjing, export factories and suppliers of products that are not essential to Coronavirus epidemic control have been officially advised to consider extending the Chinese New Year holiday to February 17th. In Ningbo, Tianjin, Hangzhou and Chongqing the local government regulations have been stricter and some shippers here are struggling to get the permission to return to work granted. Whilst export production is resuming this week, labour shortages and the quarantine requirements will affect supplier production for at least another two weeks.
COST IMPLICATION:
As a result of current challenges, we are seeing and will continue to see an increase in costs. Our stock prices will be monitored on a week by week basis and all prices will be confirmed at the time of order. We will be in touch to discuss your ongoing requirements.
Thank you for your understanding of this situation. We will continue to do all we can to help and support you through this crisis.
Yours faithfully
Jon Slater
Slater Safety