There was no time to prepare for local businesses having to quickly adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the mining and resource industries fared well, the industry – and in particular BHP / BMA / BMC were mindful of having to support local businesses and seek out ways local business could support industry needs and operations at the same time.
And, all of this needed to be undertaken in a COVID-19 Safe Way.
Throughout the process, there were several Local Buying Program suppliers that showed tremendous resilience by changing the way they operated and by introducing innovative ideas to help stop the spread.
Restaurants and Cafes and even butchers quickly introduced online ordering and non-contact delivery.
Col Joy Training transitioned to online learning and was able to keep client qualifications and skills compliant while regulating social distance.
The transformed one of their hotel rooms into a new thermal temperature testing room which was mandatory for workers who arrived at the Mackay Airport three times per week. BMA worked with the LBP supplier, setting clear guidelines about the requirements for the centre. Abiding by social distancing rules and using directional stickers on the floor, the process was able to see large numbers filter through The Ibis in a short amount of time and this process was adopted quickly and successfully.