Jonathan Hollow, head of public sector reform at businesslink.gov.uk, stated: "With good planning, businesses can minimise the impact of most crises, including large numbers of your staff potentially being on sick leave. It's important to identify what the potential risks are and the possible impact on the business, produce a crisis plan and test it to see whether it works. "
The Business Link website also features guidance on how to perform a risk assessment, handling workplace health, and guidance for international traders about health and safety controls.
Directgov is being updated regularly with information about worldwide health and travel, in the wake of the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and the US.
For further advice on business continuity planning please call the Business Link National Helpline on 0845 600 9 006.