Experiencing an exponential rise of COVID-19 related security cases during the pandemic, International SOS sheds light on three emerging security challenges. These are alongside underlying security issues that the pandemic environment has and will continue to exacerbate.

Here's a curated list of suggestions to help with COVID-19 messaging in your organisation.

For employers:

• On a daily basis, clean surfaces that people touch.
• Provide ample supply of alcohol wipes and hand sanitisers in the office.
• If your office receives visitors, find a way to inquire whether they have possibly been exposed to COVID-19.
• Provide access to a Help Line for staff that are feeling anxious or want to report feeling unwell.
• Assure contractors and casual staff that they will be paid normally if they work from home (you don’t want them to turn up to work sick because they cannot afford the loss of income).
• The World Health Organisation has produced a very useful document for the workplace: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/getting-workplace-ready-for-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=359a81e7_6
• This is a useful Australian site: https://virologydownunder.com/so-you-think-youve-about-to-be-in-a-pandemic/

Instruct staff:

• To not touch their face with their hands.
• Wash their hands regularly and aggressively with soap and cold water.
• To avoid physical contact.
• To clean any shared desks, phones, keyboard and mouse with alcohol wipes.
• If you have been informed that you have been around someone who may have been infected, inform your manager Staff should stay home if they feel unwell.
• If they have flu-like symptoms, they should get tested for COVID-19 and report to their manager if they test positive.

For Travellers:

• Check SmartTraveller prior to travel, regardless of whether it is for business or personal travel – countries listed as DO NOT TRAVEL may impact your insurance.
• Employer to clearly identify which countries are subject to travel bans.
• Some staff may feel uncomfortable travelling anywhere overseas.
• Inform your Manager if you intend to travel for personal reasons.
• Travellers returning from overseas, may have to self-isolate on their return.

Here are some posters from WHO and others that can be printed and used around the office.

The handshake alternative

How to cough and sneeze

Hand washing best practice

Hand rubbing best practice

Australia will deny entry to all travellers from mainland China unless they’re Australian citizens, amid growing fear surrounding the deadly coronavirus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced. While citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family, legal guardians and spouses will be excepted from the strict measures, Mr Morrison said anyone arriving from China will be required to self-isolate, as part of the stricter border approach.

The second meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019 in the People’s Republic of China, with exportations to other countries, took place on Thursday, 30 January 2020, from 13:30 to 18:35 Geneva time (CEST).

The Committee’s role is to give advice to the Director-General, who makes the final decision on the determination of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The Committee also provides public health advice or suggests formal Temporary Recommendations as appropriate.

The travel industry may experience an outsize impact and disruption from efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Here’s a breakdown of coronavirus’ impact so far on key travel sectors: tourism, aviation, hotels, and business travel.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. International SOS is monitoring closely and updating our 2019-Novel Coronavirus website as more information becomes available. We advise all organisations to continue to monitor this outbreak, proactively communicating with your people to explain the ways to prevent infection, review and implement your plans for pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks.

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