Equantiis Consulting Policy Statement: Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Equantiis Consulting takes the threat posed by the recent coronavirus outbreak seriously, but this must be tempered by understanding that panic or knee-jerk reactions will only accentuate harm.

Our full, comprehensive policy and contingency plan is available on request to our clients and suppliers. The approach we have adopted is based on fundamental guidance from the following sources:

• The World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
• National Health Service: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
• Advice on travel: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Our outline approach as a business

We aim to maintain a business-as-usual position and to continue to meet our obligations and duty of care to our staff and clients while carefully observing what is likely to be a developing scenario. In doing this, we will take into account governmental advice from the areas in which we operate coupled with our real-world experiences. Should we or one of our clients cancel or curtail any engagement or activity, then our standard contractual terms will be applied regarding any payments made or due.

We expect our staff to continue to fulfil their roles and deliver their obligations to our clients; any changes to this expectation will be informed and influenced by government advice and communicated both to staff and to our clients accordingly.

Face to face meetings and event delivery

From a face to face and event delivery perspective, Equantiis will take the following approach:

• We will ask client sites and venues about concerns and plans around COVID-19 and/or contagion.
• For staff attending client sites where an outbreak has been confirmed or suspected, we will ask the client to confirm that the relevant precautions as identified by government or international authorities have been taken. Providing this is confirmed by the client, then the face to face activities should be discharged as normal with an offer of an option to use video conferring/teleconferencing as an alternative.
• Where and when necessary and feasible, we will make arrangements to provide business as usual meetings remotely via telephone or video conference.
• Attendees coming to an event with us will be advised to only attend the event if they are fit to and are not required to self-isolate or have any health concerns related to the coronavirus.
• Should an attendee become unwell during an event or show symptoms consistent with the coronavirus, our facilitator will request that the delegate take immediate advice from a reputable source such as the NHS 111 and share the outcome with the facilitator. Appropriate action will then be taken with further guidance sought if required.

Our other business lines and services that are delivered remotely are unaffected by this policy.