The Government announced those involved in food production, processing, distribution, delivery as well as provision of other goods (hygienic and veterinary medicine) have ‘key worker’ status.
Keith Warren, director of FEA, said: “With this backdrop, we believe the Government should ascribe key worker status for certain parts of the foodservice equipment industry workforce, for example where their organisation is under contract to maintain catering facilities in hospitals or care homes.
“Catering facilities play a vital role in keeping the healthcare, military and emergency services as well as food retail sectors operational. That’s why it’s so important for foodservice equipment businesses to remain operational throughout this crisis.”
The four trade bodies have said they are ‘very reassured’ to have read the Government’s announcement of the job safeguarding scheme and financial support to wages.