Page 172 - CRC_One Report 2021_EN

Business Overview and Performance Corporate Governance Financial Statements Enclosure

The COVID-19 situation in 2021 has escalated from 2020 and adversely affected both foreign and
domestic demand. Many subsidiaries of Central Retail had to close their services operation during
the certain period in accordance with government’s measures. Although no business closed down during
that period but the impact was longer and severe. Therefore, Central Retail emphasizes on the preparation of
unprecedented event that may be arise in the future, for example, the current COVID-19 pandemic,
the virus mutation that may have a more critical impact, or other emerging epidemics which the world is concerned
of the possibility, frequency, and severity in the future. The top priority for Central Retail during this uncertainty
situation is the health and safety of all stakeholders - customers, employees, partners and communities.
Central Retail has set guidelines according to the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Health,
or with the relevant laws or guidelines as prescribed by the government. All employees strictly comply with
the preventive guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, for example, employees are flexible and allow to
work at home during severe situation and job rotation in each group to work at office when the situation eases.
In addition, all employees have regularly conducted ATK test and filled the screening form before comimg back to work.
Central Retail has encouraged all employees to receive vaccination as soon as possible by coordinating with
various departments to facilitate and update their vaccination progress to the Company. Moreover, all employees
have to wear mask all the time while working in the building or using elevator, if necessary, social distancing
or avoid talking in elevator, and face to face meeting must be avoided including providing preventive tools
for employees and customers as appropriate. The visitors, for example, customers, partners and contractors
must register at entry and exit of the building and ATK screening test or vaccination certificate checking, and
they are allowed to enter building only when fully vaccinated or with negative ATK results. Visitors must comply
D-M-H-T-T monitoring measures, which are social distancing, mask wearing and handwashing, when they are in
the building. During 2021, Central Retail has cooperated very well in strictly complying with relevant control
measures implemented by the government in each country, resulting in temporarily closed some stores of its
Non-food business in Fashion and Hardline segment in certain areas while Food segment continued to operate
as usual to support demand for necessary products.

Central retail has proactively implemented stronger preventive measures in all of its business locations
since the beginning of the pandemic, for example, disinfection and preventative measures in business locations,
to curtail the spread of COVID-19 as well as cleaning the surfaces of the building every 1-2 hours, promoting social
distancing, installation signage and screens for social distancing among employees. In addition, the congestion
in the workplace should be reduced including properly installed ventilation system and regularly cleaning including
opening windows and doors to improve air circulation. Central Retail provides support and assistance to
its partners and communities in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Moreover, Central Retail focuses on distribution
of vaccines, thereby, the country can reopen soon and reduce the impact to overall economy as well as
the recovery of the Company’s performance. Central Retail offers some branches of our group as COVID-19
vaccination center. Throughout the COVID-19, Central Retail understands the concern of our customers.
Central Retail exert our utmost effort to accommodate and facilitate all customers’ need. Due to unprecedented
demand for grocery, in respond, Central Retail ensures that stockpiles of food and essential products are enough
to serve the customers’ need. Meanwhile, Central Retail has already taken several measures across our business units
to minimize the impact on profitability and maintain financial flexibility.

(10) Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Risk

10.1 Environment
Global climate change is a phenomenon caused by global warming from the continuous emissions of greenhouse
gases since the Industrial Revolution period, and sharply increased till now. The impact of global climate change
is more intensity through the environment, health, agriculture, security and economy. Scientists believe that
the current climate change is due to changes in atmospheric gasses. The great cause is human beings. The global
warming crisis is spreading, affecting, and damaging all over the world. Over the years, the issue of global warming
and climate change has drawn attention from all sectors, whether at the international level, those of government
agencies, and various organizations in the private sector, through to the public sector.

172 Annual Report 2021 (Form 56-1 One-Report)