Changes to COVID close contact rules will bring relief and ease staff shortages for small broking businesses, says finance broker and Blue Crane Capital managing director Chris Hall (pictured).
“For us at Blue Crane Capital, we believe it’s important to remember there are still communities at risk who are worried about the high case levels in both NSW and Victoria,” Sydney-based Hall said.
“Without isolation rules for close contacts, brokers need to navigate these changes with sensitivity and understand that people may have differing levels of comfort. If our clients want to wear masks when meeting with us or prefer to meet over Zoom or chat on the phone, then we understand and we can accommodate that.”
The federal government announced changes to the close contact rules for NSW and Victoria, which came into effect on 22 April. Close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case are no longer having to isolate in NSW, and quarantine measures for close contact Victorians were lifted provided they wore a mask indoors and avoided high traffic areas.
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Hall said over the years he had cherished face-to-face meetings and hearing his clients’ stories in person.
“By building genuine relationships and connections, it means that we’ll try to do everything we can to make our clients and staff feel safe when doing so,” he said.
Hall said brokers should take the time to check in on their clients and see how they were feeling about the rule changes.
“Build trust and rapport with them by asking them what they’re comfortable with,” Hall said.
“Most clients and lenders we deal with have started to head back to the office – the city is definitely getting back its energy.”
Hall said a benefit for brokers surviving the pandemic was learning how to adapt their business model along the way.
“It will take some time to get familiar with the changing rules, and no doubt, it may take others more time to become comfortable with the changes,” he said.
“We need to be understanding of this but brokers now have the tools and experience to adapt.”
Hall said his staff preferred to be back in office together and collaborating and working as a team.
“However, flexibility is now paramount for us across the team,” he noted. “With that, we have a responsibility to our local small businesses like the café owner across the road, to help support them and get their revenue wheels turning again.”
The last two years had been devastating for small businesses, Hall said. The easing of restrictions was a sign that society was moving forward and recovering.
“It’s hard not to be excited about this prospect,” he said. “But we can’t forget what we’ve been through, nor can we forget that there are those still at risk.”
Hall said Blue Crane Capital remained optimistic about the future and looked forward to helping clients navigate the next few years.
