3/18/2020

RDC COVID-19 Update

Contributed by Steve Zemaitatis

The world health community continues to monitor closely the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease it causes, named “coronavirus disease 2019” (COVID-19). At this time, no one knows how severe this outbreak will be. Given this uncertainty, and the fact that the seasonal influenza (flu) virus is also widespread, we are taking proactive steps to address a number of employee and business concerns. First and foremost, we want to maintain a safe workplace and encourage and/or adopt practices protecting the health of employees, customers, visitors or others. We also want to ensure the continuity of business operations during this pandemic event.
Effective immediately, Riggs Distler is enacting the following Company-wide Policies.

These Policies will remain in effect through March 27, 2020 and may be extended during this initial two (2) week assessment period:

• Administrative Employee travel is prohibited without exception. This includes all work-related meetings, trips, and seminars. All meetings are to be held via teleconference. If necessary, Please contact IT to request additional conference bridge capabilities.
• All Riggs Distler Facilities are closed to all outside Visitors without exception. This includes all Customers, Vendors, Suppliers, Sales People, Auditors, etc.
• All Riggs Distler Administrative Employees who feel sick should report their status to their Manager and should Work from Home. If you feel sick, do not report to work.
• All Riggs Distler Field Employees who feel sick should report their status to their Supervisor and should stay home and not report to work. If you feel sick, do not report to work.
• Handshakes are prohibited and all physical contact should be avoided. Please wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds. Utilize hand sanitizer when available.
• All Riggs Distler field meetings to be held at crew size level – “all-hands” meetings are suspended.
• All Riggs Distler Administrative Employees should bring their laptop home at COB on Friday, March 13th. Once home, please verify that you have access to the Riggs Distler servers. Please contact IT to remedy any issues.
• All Riggs Distler Administrative Employees should prepare for the future potential of working from home. Effective immediately and remaining in effect until noted otherwise, all Riggs Distler Administrative Employees should bring their laptops home at the conclusion of every work shift. All Riggs Distler Administrative Employees should also prepare to bring home essential files, etc. at the conclusion of each work day.
• Riggs Distler Employees are required to complete the Self Assessment Questionnaire. If, on the basis of this self-assessment, it is not appropriate for you to enter the work environment, please contact your Manager.
• Any Riggs Distler Employee deemed unable to enter the work environment must obtain documented approval from their physician prior to returning to work.

Riggs Distler will provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers throughout the workplace and in common areas. Cleaning sprays and wipes will also be provided to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as telephones and keyboards. Riggs Distler will increase the cleaning frequency of all facilities. It is critical that employees do not report to work while they are experiencing respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills or fatigue. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that employees remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100 degrees F or 37.8 degrees C) or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. Many times, with the best of intentions, employees report to work even though they feel ill. Employees who report to work ill will be sent home in accordance with these health guidelines. Keep in mind, our Administrative Health Plan has a Tele-Doc option to do virtual doctor visits. Horizon BCBSNJ is providing at no cost 24/7 access to licensed nurses who can help members who have symptoms that are consistent with the suspected coronavirus 2019 infection as well as to provide mental health counseling services as we all deal with the stressful impacts of this pandemic. You can call the designated phone number on the back of your member ID cards or one of the following numbers:
• Members: 1-800-626-2212
• SHBP/SEHBP Members: 1-800-991-5579

Riggs Distler will be continuously updating our internal Riggs Distler Intranet with COVID-19 updates. These updates will include Riggs Distler’s RDC Coronavirus Preparedness Plan, Riggs Distler’s Self Assessment Questionnaire, Company Announcements, Tips for Working from Home, Contact Information, and other helpful materials like DOH – What you need to know.

Please contact your Manager/Supervisor with any questions or concerns. I appreciate your adherence to Riggs Distler’s Coronavirus COVID-19 Policies and procedures. Riggs Distler will continue to provide updates to our Employees as the situation develops.