Source: David Gray/Reuters
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  • More than one in five — or 22 per cent — businesses had staff who couldn’t work due to issues relating to COVID-19, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
  • The most common reason for this was due to self isolation and quarantine requirements as well as some staff having COVID-19 symptoms or illness
  • The report stated that almost half of all businesses experienced supply chain disruptions in January
  • This data was collected between January 27 and February 4, 2022

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), more than one in five — or 22 per cent — businesses had staff who couldn’t work due to issues relating to COVID-19.

The most common reason for this was due to self isolation and quarantine requirements as well as some staff having COVID-19 symptoms or illness.

The report said large businesses were three times more likely to report these absences than smaller businesses.

The ABS said that almost half of all businesses experienced supply chain disruptions in January.

“In January 2022, more businesses were impacted by supply chain disruptions compared to April 2021, where 30 per cent of businesses experienced supply chain issues,” ABS Head of Industry Statistics John Shepherd said.

“In January 2022, half of businesses with supply chain disruptions responded by changing ordering processes (50 per cent). The second most common response to the disruptions was for the business to increase the price of their goods or services (42 per cent).”

This data was collected between January 27 and February 4, 2022.

In WA, businesses have been thrown a lifeline through a $77 million support package.

The funding includes $6 million in grants for international educational businesses, $20 million for tourism, aviation sector will receive an extra $10 million, while $3 million will be shared among travel agents.

Event suppliers will also see a share of $3 million.

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