Instead the county’s voice of business will continue to focus on its programme of virtual events via Zoom.

Chief executive Ian Girling said, “Covid has not gone away. We recognise how important it is to get the wheels of business turning once again but we felt that it was too early for physical face to face meetings.

“We will continue to review the situation and Government advice.

“During the lockdown we provided vital support for businesses and continue to do so. We also innovated very quickly to launch our virtual networking and events programme, which has been embraced by the business community very successfully.

“Businesses in Dorset are incredibly resilient, and the mood remains buoyant although we all recognise that there are challenging times ahead.”

As well as a pause in networking events, it means the Chamber office – where staff have returned to work with social distancing – is open only for deliveries. Staff will only hold face to face meetings where absolutely necessary.

Dorset Chamber was the first Chamber nationwide to ban handshakes and events.

It was among the first to send staff home, and has published its own risk assessment online for its returning employees.

The Chamber’s ‘Simply Networking Online @ 9am’ fortnightly Zoom regularly attracts 60 business people each time.

Visit www.dorsetchamber.co.uk/events for more information about business support and events.