essential operations
[ɪˈsenʃəl ɑːpəˈreɪʃənz]
noun phrasepl: essential operations
operações essenciais
1. Critical business or organizational activities that must continue to function for an entity to maintain viability, safety, or legal compliance
During the pandemic, hospitals designated patient care as essential operations.
Durante a pandemia, hospitais designaram o cuidado dos pacientes como operações essenciais.
2. Core processes in manufacturing, services, or infrastructure that cannot be interrupted without significant harm
Water treatment plants maintained essential operations throughout the strike.
As estações de tratamento de água mantiveram operações essenciais durante a greve.
3. Military or security activities deemed critical for national defense or public safety
The government authorized essential operations to maintain border security.
O governo autorizou operações essenciais para manter a segurança de fronteira.
The term 'essential operations' gained significant prominence during COVID-19 lockdowns in both the US and Brazil, where governments defined which businesses and services could remain open. In Brazil, 'operações essenciais' became a key legal and administrative designation determining exemptions from quarantine restrictions. The concept reflects modern organizational priorities regarding continuity planning and risk management in both North American and Brazilian business cultures.
Related Idioms & Phrases
keep the lights on (idiomatic for maintaining essential operations)
mission-critical operations
the backbone of the business
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