Co-op Group boss sends coronavirus rallying cry to colleagues
Co-op Group CEO Steve Murrells has sent an emotional message to his 60,000 colleagues as the UK gets ready for a second national coronavirus shutdown.
Yesterday, the nation's four chief scientists lifted the Covid-19 threat level up from three to four. This means transmission of the coronavirus is high, or rising "exponentially”. More social distancing measures are likely to come in to play as a result.
A statement said: "If we are to avoid significant excess deaths and exceptional pressure in the NHS and other health services over the autumn and winter everyone has to follow the social distancing guidance, wear face coverings correctly and wash their hands regularly.”
“We know this will be a concerning news for many people; please follow the rules, look after eachother and together we will get through this."
New restrictions are set to include pubs and restaurants closing at 10pm.
“To my Co-op colleagues - at home, in stores, depots, funeral homes, and our offices. It’ll be hard to hear about the second wave of infections coming,” Co-op Group CEO Steve Murrells said in a LinkedIn post.
“I know you’re physically and emotionally shattered. We’re in this together. We’re ready as one Co-op team. Be kind to yourselves and each other. #ItsWhatWeDo.”
Extraordinary resilience
Last week, Murrells praised Co-op employees’ “extraordinary resilience” during the coronavirus outbreak.
He did so as the company warned it would not be immune to Britain’s economic downturn even as it reported a 35% leap in profits in the first half of the year.
