CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PROTECTION AND CONTAINMENT
Our Responsibility
As a small organisation, although the risk of catching the virus or bringing it into the workplace is small, the impact is greater in terms of staff welfare and business continuity. We are also more vulnerable given ours and our stakeholders’ international travel.
As a responsible employer, we have a duty to our staff and visitors to not facilitate the spread of the virus, as well as a duty of care to its employees. Therefore, while the threat of COVID-19 is present, it is important to regularly review a number of policies and plans to ensure they are current, relevant, and effective.
Public Health England (PHE) have stated the risk of COVID-19 to individuals is still low, and risk to general public is moderate.
However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) have upgraded the global risk to very high; one level before a global pandemic.
The following guidance has been compiled taking the above into account, as well as the latest advice from a variety of resources.
Visitor Policy (see here for latest PHE location categories)
Please be extra vigilant of hygiene and sanitisation when hosting meetings with external delegates. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling anything that could harbour germs.
If you become aware of a visitor displaying symptoms of COVID-19, please discretely advise them to ring 111 (or 999 if urgent) with their own phone and follow instructions. HR should be contacted immediately for further assistance.
Visitors from or who have recently travelled to Category 1 (Cat1) Locations
Visitors from or who have travelled to Cat 1 locations in the last 14 days, regardless of whether they have symptoms of COVID-19 or not, are NOT to attend meetings organised by the SMMT Group in person. Please make arrangements for delegates to attend via telephone or video link.
Visitors from or who have recently travelled to Category 2 (Cat2) Locations
Visitors from or who have travelled to Cat 2 locations in the last 14 days who do have symptoms of COVID-19, are NOT to attend meetings organised by the SMMT Group in person. Please make arrangements for delegates to attend via telephone or video link.
Visitors from or who have travelled to Cat 2 locations in the last 14 days who do not have symptoms of COVID-19, are also encouraged NOT to attend meetings organised by the SMMT Group in person unless there is a strong business reason to do so. Instead you are encouraged to make arrangements for delegates to attend via telephone or video link.
Visitors who have been into contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19
Visitors who have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 are not permitted to attend any SMMT Group organised meetings or events.
Any visitor queries should be directed to infomanager@smmt.co.uk
