Anyone seeking health related advice about COVID-19, can call the Government’s Healthline number on: 0800 358 5453
1. Objective
This plan serves to ensure that all staff understand the precautionary measures implemented and to be followed, as well as the effects, monetary and operationally, that the Coronavirus or COVID-19 might have on both the employee and the company.
2. Application
This plan is applicable to all staff of Hygiene Technologies Ltd. Each case will be dealt with on its own.
3. Changes to the plan
Seeing that this virus and the effects are evolving and changing almost on a daily basis, this plan will change accordingly to adapt to the latest information and guidelines made available on this topic.
4. What exactly is Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe disease such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS. A novel coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus that hasn’t previously been identified in humans. In January 2020, officials identified a new coronavirus, called COVID-19.
5. What are the symptoms of COVID-19
COVID-19 symptoms are similar to a range of other respiratory illnesses such as influenza (flu) and do not necessarily mean that you have COVID-19. Symptoms can include a fever, coughing and difficulty breathing. Difficulty breathing is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention. For a comprehensive list of symptoms, please contact your medical doctor or visit www.health.govt.nz
6. How is COVID-19 spread
The scientific evidence confirms that coronavirus is spread by droplets, this means that when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, they may generate droplets containing the virus. These droplets are too large to stay in the air for long, so they quickly settle on surrounding surfaces. Droplet-spread diseases can spread by:
Coughing and sneezing;
Close personal contact;
Contact with an object or surface with viral particles on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
That is why it is really important to practise good hygiene, regularly wash and thoroughly dry hands and practice good cough and sneeze etiquette.
7. How long does it take to develop symptoms
It is still unknown exactly how long it takes for a person to develop symptoms after being exposed to someone with the virus. Based on the characteristics of other coronaviruses, it is likely to be between two and fourteen days.
8. Precautionary measures:
Precaution is better than cure, herewith a few precautionary guidelines for you to follow to ensure you stay safe;
Events – avoid events with a lot of people, like concerts, markets or sports games;
Social distance – keep your distance from people, rather stay home and spend time with your family;
Public transport – if possible, avoid using public transport;
Frequently and thoroughly wash – with soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds) and dry hands;
Avoid touching your face – the virus can enter through the eyes, nose and mouth;
Carry disposable tissues with you at all times;
Don’t use the same glass or cup as someone else before it is washed;
Try to avoid shaking hands with people – if not possible, wash hands immediately after;
Practise good cough and sneeze hygiene, meaning
Maintain a distance of at least 1 metre from other people;
Coughing or sneezing into a disposable tissue or elbow, then throwing tissue away and wash hands.
If you feel sick, unwell or under the weather, stay at home until you feel better.
Precautionary measures that the Company is implementing
Stocking up on hand sanitisers, disposable tissues & gloves and making them available to all staff
Running meetings via phone or video calls
Disinfecting common areas on a daily basis as well as communal cutlery
Providing disinfectant for each staff member to use on their workspace, equipment or tools
9. Operational measurements
Further measures that the Company will take, should the situation arise, includes, but is not limited to;
Having staff work on a roster or shift system to minimise contact;
To spread staff throughout the building, also to minimise contact;
Grant annual leave and or unpaid leave requests, where possible;
Ban all international and domestic travel;
Stop all non-courier/freighter collection of orders from our warehouse;
This plan serves to ensure that all staff understand the precautionary measures implemented and to be followed, as well as the effects, monetary and operationally, that the Coronavirus or COVID-19 might have on both the employee and the company.
2. Application
This plan is applicable to all staff of Hygiene Technologies Ltd. Each case will be dealt with on its own.
3. Changes to the plan
Seeing that this virus and the effects are evolving and changing almost on a daily basis, this plan will change accordingly to adapt to the latest information and guidelines made available on this topic.
4. What exactly is Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe disease such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS. A novel coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus that hasn’t previously been identified in humans. In January 2020, officials identified a new coronavirus, called COVID-19.
5. What are the symptoms of COVID-19
COVID-19 symptoms are similar to a range of other respiratory illnesses such as influenza (flu) and do not necessarily mean that you have COVID-19. Symptoms can include a fever, coughing and difficulty breathing. Difficulty breathing is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention. For a comprehensive list of symptoms, please contact your medical doctor or visit www.health.govt.nz
6. How is COVID-19 spread
The scientific evidence confirms that coronavirus is spread by droplets, this means that when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, they may generate droplets containing the virus. These droplets are too large to stay in the air for long, so they quickly settle on surrounding surfaces. Droplet-spread diseases can spread by:
Coughing and sneezing;
Close personal contact;
Contact with an object or surface with viral particles on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
That is why it is really important to practise good hygiene, regularly wash and thoroughly dry hands and practice good cough and sneeze etiquette.
7. How long does it take to develop symptoms
It is still unknown exactly how long it takes for a person to develop symptoms after being exposed to someone with the virus. Based on the characteristics of other coronaviruses, it is likely to be between two and fourteen days.
8. Precautionary measures:
Precaution is better than cure, herewith a few precautionary guidelines for you to follow to ensure you stay safe;
Events – avoid events with a lot of people, like concerts, markets or sports games;
Social distance – keep your distance from people, rather stay home and spend time with your family;
Public transport – if possible, avoid using public transport;
Frequently and thoroughly wash – with soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds) and dry hands;
Avoid touching your face – the virus can enter through the eyes, nose and mouth;
Carry disposable tissues with you at all times;
Don’t use the same glass or cup as someone else before it is washed;
Try to avoid shaking hands with people – if not possible, wash hands immediately after;
Practise good cough and sneeze hygiene, meaning
Maintain a distance of at least 1 metre from other people;
Coughing or sneezing into a disposable tissue or elbow, then throwing tissue away and wash hands.
If you feel sick, unwell or under the weather, stay at home until you feel better.
Precautionary measures that the Company is implementing
Stocking up on hand sanitisers, disposable tissues & gloves and making them available to all staff
Running meetings via phone or video calls
Disinfecting common areas on a daily basis as well as communal cutlery
Providing disinfectant for each staff member to use on their workspace, equipment or tools
9. Operational measurements
Further measures that the Company will take, should the situation arise, includes, but is not limited to;
Having staff work on a roster or shift system to minimise contact;
To spread staff throughout the building, also to minimise contact;
Grant annual leave and or unpaid leave requests, where possible;
Ban all international and domestic travel;
Stop all non-courier/freighter collection of orders from our warehouse;
Close the trade counter facility;
Allowing certain staff to work from home after permission has been granted;
Allowing certain staff to work from home after permission has been granted;
Staggering rest and meal/break times or to eat/drink alone;
Staff remaining on site to maintain the 2 meter social distancing from each other;
10. Self-isolation and Quarantine
The difference between self-isolation and quarantine is that self-isolation is the voluntary choice of the employee or by instruction of the employer, whereas quarantine is demanded by Government or a medical doctor. If an employee elects to self-isolate for whatever reason, permission must be granted by the Company. The employee may apply for annual leave for the period of voluntary self-isolation. If not possible, the period might be unpaid. The employee can possibly work remotely, but no promises can be made as it depends on the position etc. Each case of quarantine will be evaluated and discussed with the employee. The employee can possibly work remotely, but no promises can be made as it depends on the position etc. Any employee directed by Government or a medical doctor to quarantine will be paid at their ordinary pay rate. Should the employee become infected, the employer will treat the period as sick leave and reduce any sick leave entitlements accordingly. Where the company orders an employee to self-isolate, short of an alternative agreement with the employee, the company will pay for this time.
11. Employee suspected to be infected
If you suspect that you have contracted the virus or that you have been exposed to the virus or someone that is infected, you have the obligation to immediately inform the Company.The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, requires that the Company take all practicable steps to mitigate risk and protect staff. When an employee is suspected, with reasonable cause, or disclose that they suspect to be infected with COVID-19, he or she will be requested to undergo medical screening and to disclose the results to the Company. Such an employee will be requested to first go to his/her GP for assessment and thereafter to undergo medical testing. Should it be confirmed that an employee contracted COVID-19, the employee immediately has to report this to Government on the dedicated Healthline. (Number on top). The costs associated with the visits and test will be covered by the Company. Should an employee unreasonably refuse to undertake the medical testing or to disclose the results to the Company, the Company will request the employee to self-isolate and this period will not be paid and the company reserves the right to take disciplinary action against the employee.
12. Pandemic / Force Majeure
Should the Company’s premises be closed down due to a Ministry of Health Directive or other Government initiative, intended to isolate or control COVID-19, the employees will not be entitled to wages or salary for the period of the enforced closure. The Company shall comply with sick leave entitlement under the Act. If sick leave is not applicable, the company will consider requests to be paid out annual leave or annual leave in advance, having regard to the length of the close down, the impact of the close down on the business and the individual.
13. International travel
We strongly advice against any international travel at the moment. Should you book an international flight to or through a category 1 or 2 country after the 4th of March 2020, any isolation period, self or compulsory, will be unpaid. In light of the recent order from Government, all staff travelling outside of NZ as from 15 March 2020 and that have to self-isolate upon their return, will be in self-isolation without pay. If returning from an already embarked trip other than a category 1 & 2 country after the 15th of March 2020 and the employee now have to self-isolate, short of an alternative agreement with the employee, the company will pay for this time.
14. Possible effects of COVID-19
Even though we are not there yet, depending on the duration and impact of COVID-19, the Company might have to look at the following options;
Restructure and downsizing;
Giving employees 14 days’ notice of forced annual leave;
Request voluntary unpaid leave.
15. Discrimination
No discrimination or racism will be tolerated by the Company. Any racial or discriminatory remarks or acts, will be seen as serious misconduct and the Company will take action against perpetrators.
16. Disclaimer
The Company reserves the right to change or replace this plan at any time. Where there is a dispute with regards to the interpretation of this plan or any part thereof, the Company reserves the right to clarify the intention and meaning of this plan. The clarification as provided by the Company, will be seen as the final decision on the interpretation of this plan.
Staff remaining on site to maintain the 2 meter social distancing from each other;
10. Self-isolation and Quarantine
The difference between self-isolation and quarantine is that self-isolation is the voluntary choice of the employee or by instruction of the employer, whereas quarantine is demanded by Government or a medical doctor. If an employee elects to self-isolate for whatever reason, permission must be granted by the Company. The employee may apply for annual leave for the period of voluntary self-isolation. If not possible, the period might be unpaid. The employee can possibly work remotely, but no promises can be made as it depends on the position etc. Each case of quarantine will be evaluated and discussed with the employee. The employee can possibly work remotely, but no promises can be made as it depends on the position etc. Any employee directed by Government or a medical doctor to quarantine will be paid at their ordinary pay rate. Should the employee become infected, the employer will treat the period as sick leave and reduce any sick leave entitlements accordingly. Where the company orders an employee to self-isolate, short of an alternative agreement with the employee, the company will pay for this time.
11. Employee suspected to be infected
If you suspect that you have contracted the virus or that you have been exposed to the virus or someone that is infected, you have the obligation to immediately inform the Company.The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, requires that the Company take all practicable steps to mitigate risk and protect staff. When an employee is suspected, with reasonable cause, or disclose that they suspect to be infected with COVID-19, he or she will be requested to undergo medical screening and to disclose the results to the Company. Such an employee will be requested to first go to his/her GP for assessment and thereafter to undergo medical testing. Should it be confirmed that an employee contracted COVID-19, the employee immediately has to report this to Government on the dedicated Healthline. (Number on top). The costs associated with the visits and test will be covered by the Company. Should an employee unreasonably refuse to undertake the medical testing or to disclose the results to the Company, the Company will request the employee to self-isolate and this period will not be paid and the company reserves the right to take disciplinary action against the employee.
12. Pandemic / Force Majeure
Should the Company’s premises be closed down due to a Ministry of Health Directive or other Government initiative, intended to isolate or control COVID-19, the employees will not be entitled to wages or salary for the period of the enforced closure. The Company shall comply with sick leave entitlement under the Act. If sick leave is not applicable, the company will consider requests to be paid out annual leave or annual leave in advance, having regard to the length of the close down, the impact of the close down on the business and the individual.
13. International travel
We strongly advice against any international travel at the moment. Should you book an international flight to or through a category 1 or 2 country after the 4th of March 2020, any isolation period, self or compulsory, will be unpaid. In light of the recent order from Government, all staff travelling outside of NZ as from 15 March 2020 and that have to self-isolate upon their return, will be in self-isolation without pay. If returning from an already embarked trip other than a category 1 & 2 country after the 15th of March 2020 and the employee now have to self-isolate, short of an alternative agreement with the employee, the company will pay for this time.
14. Possible effects of COVID-19
Even though we are not there yet, depending on the duration and impact of COVID-19, the Company might have to look at the following options;
Restructure and downsizing;
Giving employees 14 days’ notice of forced annual leave;
Request voluntary unpaid leave.
15. Discrimination
No discrimination or racism will be tolerated by the Company. Any racial or discriminatory remarks or acts, will be seen as serious misconduct and the Company will take action against perpetrators.
16. Disclaimer
The Company reserves the right to change or replace this plan at any time. Where there is a dispute with regards to the interpretation of this plan or any part thereof, the Company reserves the right to clarify the intention and meaning of this plan. The clarification as provided by the Company, will be seen as the final decision on the interpretation of this plan.