Lisa Bryson, Partner, Employment and Immigration, Eversheds Sutherland
Commenting on the outbreak of Coronavirus, Lisa Bryson, Partner, Employment and Immigration, Eversheds Sutherland in Belfast said:
“Employers with an international footprint should review the World Health Organisation’s guidelines on a regular basis, particularly if employees travel with work or have plans to holiday in China. The fact that the outbreak of Coronavirus in China has reportedly killed over one hundred people so far should not be simply be ignored by employers in Northern Ireland. The virus has now been confirmed in the US, Thailand, Japan and South Korea and so, it is important that employers closer to home also consider any potential risk to employees.”
“This is not at swine flu or SARS level yet, and indeed hopefully it will not reach pandemic levels.“
“We do however, live in a connected global business environment and the world really is a lot smaller now. People based in Northern Ireland travel regularly on business and interact with others who also travel internationally on a regular basis. It will be important for employers to take any advice provided by the World Health Organisation into account over the next few weeks and months. The Coronavirus outbreak should also prompt businesses to consider whether or not travel to impacted parts of the world, is really necessary at the moment.”
“While it appears there is currently a low risk to workers in Northern Ireland, employers should consider reviewing planned business travel arrangements and discussing any foreign holiday arrangements of staff so as to try and reduce any potential risk of spreading the virus.”