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Canary Wharf office sends 300 staff home amid coronavirus fears London firms sending staff home amid coronavirus fears
(about 3 hours later)
Oil giant Chevron has asked 300 staff at a London office to work from home as a precaution against coronavirus. Crossrail and media firm OMD have joined oil giant Chevron in asking staff to work from home as a precaution against coronavirus.
Chevron took the step after one of its staff reported flu-like symptoms after returning from a country where there have been cases of the disease. Chevron has asked 300 staff not to come into its office at Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf "for the time being".
The staff at the Westferry Circus office at Canary Wharf will continue to work from home "for the time being", pending tests on the employee. A Chevron employee reported flu-like symptoms after returning from a country where there have been cases of the disease.
Coronavirus has caused a number of deaths around the world. Crossrail shares the same Westferry building. OMD's office is in Fitzrovia.
The staff at the Canary Wharf office mainly engage in downstream oil and gas products trading. OMD, which is part of Omnicom Media Group, said an employee reported symptoms after returning from Australia with a flight connection through Singapore.
The employee concerned spent the weekend skiing in Italy, a coronavirus hotspot, then returned to work on Monday. They started feeling unwell and did not go to work on Tuesday. The firm said the chance that it was the coronavirus was minimal but that it was asking staff to work from home "as a precautionary measure, and until definitive results of the employee's coronavirus test is confirmed".
Staff at Chevron's Canary Wharf office, which mainly engages in downstream oil and gas products trading, have also been asked to work from home.
The Chevron employee concerned spent the weekend skiing in Italy, a coronavirus hotspot, then returned to work on Monday. They started feeling unwell and did not go to work on Tuesday.
Following NHS advice, the employee reported to hospital to be tested for Covid-19 and is awaiting the results.Following NHS advice, the employee reported to hospital to be tested for Covid-19 and is awaiting the results.
'Precautionary measures''Precautionary measures'
The firm said: "Chevron continues to monitor the situation very closely, utilising the guidance of international and local health authorities.The firm said: "Chevron continues to monitor the situation very closely, utilising the guidance of international and local health authorities.
"Our primary concern is the health and safety of our employees and we are taking precautionary measures to reduce their risk of exposure."Our primary concern is the health and safety of our employees and we are taking precautionary measures to reduce their risk of exposure.
"Consequently, we have requested that our colleagues, based at our Westferry Circus office in London, work from home for the time being. It is our policy to not provide details of our employees.""Consequently, we have requested that our colleagues, based at our Westferry Circus office in London, work from home for the time being. It is our policy to not provide details of our employees."
The staff will continue to work from home while the firm waits for guidance from doctors.The staff will continue to work from home while the firm waits for guidance from doctors.
Many other firms have taken precautions to protect staff from the risk of catching the coronavirus.Many other firms have taken precautions to protect staff from the risk of catching the coronavirus.
BP, for example has delayed all non-essential business travel to China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Singapore until further notice, and staff who have been to affected areas and are showing flu-like symptoms have been told not to come to work.BP, for example has delayed all non-essential business travel to China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Singapore until further notice, and staff who have been to affected areas and are showing flu-like symptoms have been told not to come to work.
Investment bank Goldman Sachs has told staff which have returned from affected areas to self isolate even if they show no symptoms.Investment bank Goldman Sachs has told staff which have returned from affected areas to self isolate even if they show no symptoms.
Josh Hardie, CBI deputy director-general, said firms must follow official government guidance.Josh Hardie, CBI deputy director-general, said firms must follow official government guidance.
"In a fast-evolving situation, businesses will be mindful of the potential risks. The health of employees must be their first consideration, as well as the potential impact on their operations," he added."In a fast-evolving situation, businesses will be mindful of the potential risks. The health of employees must be their first consideration, as well as the potential impact on their operations," he added.
Coronavirus has caused widespread disruption around the world.Coronavirus has caused widespread disruption around the world.
This particular coronavirus infection, which can cause severe lung disease, started in China and has spread to 27 other countries, including the UK.This particular coronavirus infection, which can cause severe lung disease, started in China and has spread to 27 other countries, including the UK.
Based on data from 44,000 patients with this coronavirus, the World Health Organization says:Based on data from 44,000 patients with this coronavirus, the World Health Organization says:
On Tuesday, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that Britons returning from quarantined Italian towns should isolate themselves, even if they have no symptoms.On Tuesday, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that Britons returning from quarantined Italian towns should isolate themselves, even if they have no symptoms.
Workers who are ill are entitled to statutory sick pay. But the law says that if you stay away from work but aren't sick, you may not get paid.Workers who are ill are entitled to statutory sick pay. But the law says that if you stay away from work but aren't sick, you may not get paid.