Due to non-availability of complete supply chain, the export oriented and construction related sectors are finding it difficult to resume their operations with full capacity. If supply chain is not put in place, industrial units are unlikely to start their operations. As the major issue is the ban on public transport due to which labourers are unable to reach factories. Moreover, the governmental demand is to start operation with minimum workforce which makes it a challenge. On average, medium to large scale industrial units need 50-300 workforce and, in some cases, up to 1000 workers. According to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by Punjab government, the premises or the units will be staffed with trained clinical staff/doctor. The premises will be disinfected invariably at the start of every shift and equipped with sanitizers, soaps, masks, towel tissues and temperature thermal scanners. These measures will further increase their input cost at a time when they are expected to work under capacity. Further raw materials, dissembled parts of machinery, and any other material required to be processed by an industrial unit for a finished product will only be allowed to enter the industrial unit or premises after the vehicle is completely sanitized and disinfected at the entry points. Such practices are difficult to adhere to, are time consuming and require additional resources.
