Around 5,400 inquiries came this week from industrialists and factories who are looking to understand where their business stands after new industry guidelines are expected to be announced to combat the financial impact of COVID-19.When the crisis broke out in China, the Manufacturers' Association established a situation room aimed at giving answers to the industry that has been in constant uncertainty over the past month.
The largest number of inquiries received by the Manufacturers Association is on the the topic of vital enterprise, as government measures escalate and a decision to declare a state of an emergency economy looms.
About 65% of inquiries, more than 3,500, come from companies and business owners who are uncertain and want to understand whether they can continue to work at full capacity or not.
15% of applicants deal with work permit approvals, 10% discuss postponing government payments, 5% deal with the subject of loans and grants.
Many inquiries were on the topic of the Association and the Health Ministry's guidelines that obligate businesses to continue production while reducing the risk of infection. Some inquiries were trying find more details about workers from the Palestinian territories.
The purpose of the situation room is to assist Israeli industrialists in the unusual and unclear reality that is changing every day. The situation room operates 24 hours a day and the association issues daily updates by e-mail including guidelines for continuing industrial activity during the crisis