In a time of national crisis paying able members of the workforce 80% to stay at home and not work is counter productive. Many staff are able to support their employers and the wider society by completing tasks when practical and possible. They should not be stopped from making any contribution.
The government guidelines around furloughing staff are too restrictive. For businesses and the wider economy to survive staff should be able to work and support their employer when possible. This does not mean having to complete ALL usual tasks but positive contributions are beneficial.
For many businesses having staff perform productive tasks vs. doing nothing will be the difference between survival and collapse. This keeps the workforce engaged and better prepared to exit this crisis..