PAGESCoronavirus/COVID-19 (Contd. from last page) Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands frequently with soap and hot water and/or use an alcohol-based hand rub even if your hands are not visibly dirty. This is especially important after travelling on public transport, on arrival at home or work. Why? Washing your hands with soap and hot water or using alcohol-based hand rub eliminates the virus if it is on your hands. Cough or sneeze info your elbow (aka practicing “respiratory hygiene”): When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and hot water. Why? Covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing prevent the spread of germs and viruses. If you sneeze or cough into your hands, you may contaminate objects or people that you touch. Maintain social distancing: Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and other people, particularly those who are coughing, sneezing and have a fever. Note: In the fashion industry, it is customary for people to hug and kiss, or shake hands. You would need to refrain from this kind of contact in the case of an outbreak. Why? When someone who is infected with a respiratory disease, like COVID-19, coughs or sneezes they project small droplets containing the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the virus. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Why? Hands touch many surfaces which can be contami- nated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself. EXECUTIVEKeep the following especially clean: Keyboards; Mobile phones; Ipads; Credit cards; Keys; Remote controls; Door handles Prepare your business: Businesses owners/directors should review their own procedures to ensure that they are prepared for an outbreak which might affect their supply chain or the safety of their working environment. For the supply chain – these will include: -Identifying areas of supply or production which could be affected, for example product which is only available from China. Monitor the delay, bearing in mind that Chinese factories may not be able to reopen as quickly as they might like and that key workers may still face quarantine issues. -Identifying potential areas for diversifying sources of supplies -Liaising with customers to advise them whether there may be delays -Factory owners will need to consult their own insurances and Company Handbooks/insurance poli- cies to see how they are covered/affected by any outbreak or decision to close the factory For sales, these may include: -Key buyers may not wish to travel for appointments or to trade fairs – devise alternative routes to communicate with them and follow up on sales with online resources (look books or linesheets images, price lists, video presentations etc) -Key company workers may not wish to travel to affected areas or tradeshows – consider whether you are insured for this and what needs to happen. Ensure you have adequate insurance for all workers travelling on company business. -Make better use of video conferencing rather than team meetings if this is appropriate For your office/factory/working these may include: -Providing alcohol rub/anti-bacterial soaps, hot water and disposable paper towel where necessary – especially as people enter/leave the building -Making staff aware of hygiene issues in the work place -Updating contact lists for personnel including their home and mobile numbers in case you need to contact them urgently -Having a contingency plan to enable workers to log in to computers or work from home if possible and if required -Informing staff that they should not come into work and self-quarantine for 14 days if they genuinely believe they have come into contact with some- NCM-MARCH 2020 14Contd. on next page