Businesses brace for H1N1 impact

Special Report: World Tackles A/H1N1 Flu 

BEIJING,May 7-- While
confirmed human cases of influenza A (H1N1) have not been found on the mainland
so far, the business community in Shanghai is preparing for the worst and
introducing precautions against the potential outbreak of the disease.

Travel agencies and hotels have been among the
hardest-hit sectors of the business community and many in Shanghai are now
beefing up their hygiene management and emergency controls to ensure the safety
of customers after experiencing a drop in bookings.

According to Zhou Yinfeng, general manager of the
outbound division of Shanghai CYTS Tours Corporation, about 10 percent of
outbound tourists have cancelled their trips in the past three days, citing the
virus as their main concern.

"People are generally less inclined to travel, even
though their destinations are not within the affected areas," Zhou said.

"What we do is to spend more time telling them the
real situation of the epidemic, while also stepping up precautions to ensure
safety for them."

He said that the company now provides face masks and
thermometers to tourists bound for overseas destinations, and each tourist guide
is required to report regularly to the headquarters on the health condition of
the travelers.

Michelle Chong, communications manager of Renaissance
Yangtze Shanghai Hotel under Marriott Group, said the hotel has been keeping a
close eye on the outbreak while putting in place procedures necessary to deal
with the virus.

She said the hotel had procured "enough masks and
gloves" to be ready in the event of an outbreak.

In the meantime, workers are being reminded about
good hygiene, both personal and in the workplace. Employees frequently clean
areas such as handrails, telephones, door handles, elevator buttons and fitness
center equipment.

Carson C. Block, owner of a storage service company
in Shanghai, said he is worried about his business, even though it is not
directly influenced by the disease in the way hotels and travel agencies are.

"Should the situation continue to worsen with fewer
people going out, there surely would be a decrease in our revenue," he said,
adding that the safety of his staff in the face of the spreading virus is his
primary concern. He said he now asks them to clean their workstations with
alcohol four times a day.

But Warren Bock, business development director of
Scandic Sourcing, a China-based sourcing company for Scandinavian companies,
said his business had actually received a boost from the epidemic.

He said more clients are now asking him to do product
sourcing in China because they are less willing to travel.

"With the economic downturn, people are less likely
to travel, and find us a cheaper solution," he said. "Now, with this flu
affecting people's traveling plans even more so, it is even better for us to
help with their production."

(Source: China Daily)