BRITAIN’S government yesterday urged businesses to prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period, saying that they need to take action whether or not a trade deal with the European Union is clinched.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said Britain won’t extend the transition period, which ends Dec. 31, and that progress must be made to bridge significant gaps between the two sides in the coming days if a deal is to be struck.

The business ministry argues that most of what businesses need to do is the same regardless of the outcome of the negotiations and has planned a series of sector specific webinars in October.

“With just 81 days until the end of the transition period, businesses must act now to ensure they are ready for the United Kingdom’s new start come January,” said business minister Alok Sharma, who will write to businesses regarding the changes.

Businesses needed to do things like ensure staff register for residency rights and prepare for customs procedures when trading with the EU, the government said.

The United Kingdom formally left the EU on Jan. 31, but more than four years since voting 52 to 48 percent for Brexit in a 2016 referendum, the two sides are haggling over a trade deal to take effect when informal membership ends Dec. 31.

European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and Britain’s chief negotiator David Frost have agreed to pursue “mini-deals” in areas of mutual interest, such as aviation and road transport, even if trade negotiations for a wider deal break down this week, The Times reported Saturday.

In such an event, the two sides would spend November attempting to put together mini-deals to offset the likely disruption when the transition period ends Dec. 31, the newspaper said, without citing sources. (SD-Agencies)