1. INTRODUCTION
This policy ensures that MINDWORX’s staff, contractors, trainees, and visitors (Stakeholders) have a
uniform approach to managing the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.
2. BACKGROUND
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in humans and many different species of
animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then
spread between people, such as with MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. The virus that causes COVID-19 is
spreading from person-to-person in China and COVID-19 is an infectious condition, as it spreads directly
or indirectly from one person to another.
3. PURPOSE
MINDWORX is concerned with the well-being of all Stakeholders, the following guidance may help prevent
workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings.
This policy will be updated when further, relevant information becomes available.
3.1 In line with the above, MINDWORX will attempt to keep management and employees informed and updated
of the relevant developments regarding the virus, so that they may take the appropriate action.
3.2 The purpose of this policy is to provide clarity on MINDWORX’s views and commitments with regard to
assisting Stakeholders in dealing with this disease and recommend as follows;
4. SYMPTOMS
You could potentially have coronavirus, if you have symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and
- You have recently travelled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea or one of the listed European countries (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/coronavirus-europe).
- You have had close contact with a person who has travelled to the above countries.
- You have visited a healthcare facility where Coronavirus patients are being treated.
GUIDELINES FOR MANAGING RISK
4.1 Stakeholders who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come
to work until they are free of fever (37.8° C) or signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24
hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants).
Employees should notify their manager and stay home if they are sick.
4.2 MINDWORX believes that an essential element in fighting disease is knowledge on which medical
self-management can be based. It is an underlying principle that ignorance of a serious medical
condition is a dangerous approach, and ignoring symptoms precludes early and accurate diagnosis and
therefore delays the appropriate care.
4.3 Employees and visitors to clean their hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least
60% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water should
be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
4.4 Mindworx has provided soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs. Hand rubs have been placed in
multiple locations to encourage hand hygiene.
4.5 Use disposable wipes to routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in your area, including your
laptops, devices, mouse etc, workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents
that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label.
4.6 Travelling employees should check themselves for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before and
after travelling and notify their manager that they are staying home if they are sick. Only essential
travel should be undertaken and preference should be given to meetings via video conference.
4.7 Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19, even if suspected,
should urgently notify Mindworx management and not return to Mindworx premises until such time
as a health professional has conducted a risk assessment of potential exposure to the rest of the
staff.
4.8 Stakeholders who indicate that they are sick should not be permitted to attend a meeting or interview in
person; video conference should be utilized in this case.
4.9 The monitor at reception, will prompt all stakeholders with the following questions:
- Are you currently sick or have a cold?
- Have you had a cold in the last 2-3 weeks?
- Have you travelled to a high risk country in the last 6 months?
- Have you been in contact with someone who has been to a high risk country.
- If you have positive responses to any of the above questions, you are advised to
visit a doctor to be screened for COVID-19, and return the results, and to stay in
isolation for 2 weeks. - You are not to return to work until the screening result is negative.
5. PHILOSOPHY
MINDWORX believes that a responsible approach to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) life threatening
diseases involves maintaining the interests of MINDWORX, its employees and the community in which they
operate. The protection of our employees,and the community at large is a primary objective. MINDWORX
will strive to achieve a balance between the compelling needs of infected and sick employees, in addition to
the legitimate needs of the organization. Whilst MINDWORX aims to support the physical and emotional
well-being of employees, this should not cause disruption of productivity nor should it impact on employee
morale negatively.