Commenting, Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair, said:
“It is completely unthinkable that midway through the week that businesses should be using to prepare for the firebreak lockdown, they still do not have access to a published list of those businesses required to close.
“Business owners need to be spending this week informing their staff, dealing with orders and suppliers and updating customers, and yet many are still completely in the dark on what is required of them next week.
“Whilst we’ve welcomed the financial package that’s been made available by Welsh Government and their efforts to engage FSB, we have been raising these issues from the word go and with time now pressing on, this has become even more of a concern.
“We know that some businesses will be allowed to open for limited reasons, such as a car garage that can open to provide essential or urgent work, but without clear guidance on what this means, businesses don’t have the information that they need to be compliant. Throughout the week FSB has been approached by very concerned businesses who do not know what is required of them next week or whether they are allowed to open.
“The clock is ticking; everyone wants this firebreak lockdown to work, but Welsh Government is currently making this situation even more difficult for businesses who are working incredibly hard just to survive yet another period of disruption, uncertainty and anxiety. Welsh Government should take all necessary steps to urgently publish the list of businesses required to close, as well as business-specific guidance for the lockdown.”