ITM is closely monitoring the spread of respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China. Additional cases have been identified in a growing number of other international locations.

Employee Travel Restrictions

We are aware that a number of our members are issuing guidance to staff which includes:

• A complete ban on travel to / from Wuhan
• A ban/ Restricting / deferring non-essential travel to mainland China
• Restricting / deferring domestic travel within mainland China and/or pre-approval to travel
• A ban/ Restricting / deferring travel to and/or from Hong Kong and Macau
• A ban/ Restricting / deferring travel to and/or from Italy, Iran and South Korea.
• Any travel to affected regions must be pre-approved by senior management, risk and / or security teams
• Monitoring of incoming visitors from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan
• As of 11 ^th February, The Philippines have implemented an entry ban to include foreign nationals with recent travel to Taiwan. Please check the FCO website for specific country bans
• Employees returning from Mainland China/Hong Kong/Macau being requested / mandated to work from home for 14 days and should return to work only if symptom-free after that duration
• Any employee who develops fever and flu-like symptoms within 14 days of travel should stay home and notify their healthcare provider
• Providing guidance and links to employees from medical and security assistance vendors
• Advising where extra screening measures and travel restrictions are in place at various locations across the world 

Additional Protective Measures

• To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitiser
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin  
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

International News

The US have imposed a restriction on permitting foreign nationals into the US who have travelled in mainland china within 14days of arrival to US, therefore important for any business travellers who have a requirement to fly to both.   

• Effective 2 February, foreign nationals (other than immediate family of US citizens, permanent residents, and flight crew) who have travelled in mainland China within 14 days of their arrival, will be denied entry into the United States’  https://blog.newlandchase.com/coronavirus-travel-and-immigration-disruption
• The Taiwan Government has put in place a number of measures to combat Coronavirus including changes to entry procedures and restrictions on entry into Taiwan.
• On 24 ^th February, The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has recommended that travellers avoid all non-essential travel to South Korea. Similarly, the FCO advise against all but essential travel to Daegu and Cheongdo due to the ongoing outbreak.

Useful Websites

• World Health Organization
• Centres for Disease Control (CDC)
• UK Government
• NHS
• FCO