Almost 40% of business are preparing for a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland to cause further disruptions, a new survey by the Association of Compliance Officers of Ireland (ACOI) has found. Thirty-seven percent of businesses reported working on a revised business continuity plan in case of a second wave of the virus, while a further 28% reported already having done so.

The survey also looked at the impact of the pandemic on the compliance professionals, such as those in charge of their company's pandemic response plans, finding that almost 70% said that demand on their skills had been greater in recent months.

In addition, the survey of 600 of ACOI’s members found that continuity planning had been essential in “helping Irish businesses respond effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic and stay afloat over the last few months."

A large percentage (91%) of businesses said that their business continuity plans had been a success during the pandemic.