As panic continues to spread across the globe, and locally here in Australia around the uncertainties of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact, I would like to share with you some of the key policies that Maxim’s Travel is implementing to ensure our staff remain safe, and that we deliver business continuity for our clients.
By taking clear steps to prepare for the spread of COVID-19, we are confident that we can do our part to help reduce the impact and disruption for our clients and staff.
What is COVID-19?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. COVID-2019 is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 was first encountered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and has gone on to affect over 93,000 people in over 80 countries around the world, causing over 3,000 deaths. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 - the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
COVID-19 has been classified as a pandemic.
What action is Maxim’s Travel taking?
Our senior leadership team are monitoring the situation via the Australian Government Department of Health and our ongoing response and position to managing our exposure will be evidence-based to ensure timely and appropriate action is taken.
The steps we have taken so far include:
- Creating a culture of infection control in the workplace that is reinforced during the annual influenza season, to include, if possible, options for working offsite while ill, systems to reduce infection transmission, and worker education.
- Establishing contingency plans to maintain delivery of services during times of significant and sustained worker absenteeism.
- Where applicable, enforcing remote working to allow workers to provide services from home if public health officials advise against non-essential travel outside the home.
- Monitoring overseas travel for employees who have just returned (as well as family or friends returning from overseas) and are about to commence back at work. We are also monitoring the situation in our own offices and client sites to ensure staff who visit, or work, at these sites are not impacted or put at risk through these environments.
- We have commenced work-from-home planning tests to prepare teams across our entire business.
- As the situation evolves, adjustments will be made to ensure we have the right Pandemic plan in place that will protect our staff and ensure continuity on our services to our clients.
Maxim's Travel will endeavour to keep you up to date with information about travel restrictions, and suggests travellers to keep up to date with the airlines websites and the government's Smartraveller website.
Smartraveller: www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/novel-coronavirus-outbreak
Australian Government:
Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 080 if you are seeking information about this virus.
Regards,
Chris Goddard
Managing Director
Maxim's Travel
