COVID-19 STAFF UPDATE

Dear all,

Along with all companies across the country and indeed the world, we are closely following news updates on the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and taking guidance from government briefings, the World Health Organisation and UK public health authorities. Your health and welfare and that of your loved ones remains our key priority in these unprecedented times. An internal committee has been formed and will be meeting at least weekly to ensure that we are responding appropriately to the current risks and as the situation develops.

After consultation and considerable discussion, at this ‘delay’ stage of the outbreak we ask you to adhere to the following guidelines:

Feeling Unwell

If you are displaying the common symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature and a new and continuous dry cough which may lead to breathing problems – even if symptoms are mild), please self-isolate for seven days and seek medical advice after this time if you remain unwell (NHS 111). Please inform your Line Manager immediately and if you are able to, report your absence on the E-Days system.

It is also very important to be vigilant with your colleagues and if you suspect they are presenting coronavirus symptoms, please encourage them to self-isolate or seek medical advice.

If someone in your home falls ill, in-line with government advice, the whole household will need to isolate for 14 days.

Site Managers – if you believe someone on your site has COVID-19, including for example subcontractors and delivery drivers, please advise them to self-isolate in line with government advice. We will be issuing a separate communication to Site Managers on how cases should be reported and recorded in due course.

Please refer those affected to the NHS website for further guidance:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Travel from Overseas

The situation in Europe and beyond is significantly more advanced than at present in the UK. If you are planning on travelling overseas within the next 6 weeks, please let your Line Manager know. On your return from an overseas trip, please contact your Line Manager to undertake an assessment on your suitability to return to work and any potential risk to your colleagues. It may be appropriate to consider self-isolation or where possible working remotely.

Meetings / Business Networking

Please take a common-sense approach to holding and attending business meetings and networking events. These should only be undertaken with small numbers in attendance and only where the requirement is business critical. Please consider alternative methods to carry out meetings such as conference calls or skype. We recommend meeting in well-ventilated rooms with sufficient room to distance seating arrangements. It is also prudent to avoid shaking hands with others.

Hygiene

Further to previous advice circulated, please continue to adhere to hygiene advice as per general government and NHS guidelines. As we head towards the warmer weather please ensure your work areas are well-ventilated and maintain sensible distances from your colleagues where possible. Our Buying Department is working hard to ensure we have sufficient cleaning and hygiene supplies and our cleaning teams are undertaking more frequent and in-depth cleaning measures.

On site, please make sure welfare facilities are cleaned daily and kept tidy. Where possible, consider limiting the number of people congregating in small rooms at any one time. This may mean staggered tea breaks and lunches.

Supply Chain

We are working closely with our supply chain to ensure they have equivalent plans in place and are following government advice. As yet we have not been informed of any significant risks to business continuity.

IT

In certain roles and where your health permits, you may be able to work from home, during self-isolation. Please bear in mind that the performance of the VPN may be impacted by your Broadband connection and you will need to contact Steve Cooper, IT Manager to discuss any issues.

Please be mindful that in times of uncertainty and where our efforts may be focussed elsewhere, fraudsters often take the opportunity to exploit companies and individuals. We have already been alerted to increased attempts from other organisations to illegally divert bank transfer payments to false accounts. Always check the authenticity of any emails and senders where you are unsure of the content.

Please rest assured we will continue to provide updates on the company’s plans and proposed response to the spread of COVID-19 as it develops and as soon as we know more.

Kind regards,

Martin Sandall Managing Director