Updated Coronavirus Guidelines - March 13th 2020

Over the past 24 hours, we have seen a rapid increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States and Canada and applicable health and governmental authorities have taken significant responsive actions. Consistent with those actions, we also have updated PMA’s protocols and guidelines as set forth below:

SUSPENSION OF ALL BUSINESS-RELATED TRAVEL

We are suspending all business-related travel until further notice. This applies to all travel, whether by air, train, bus, etc., and irrespective of destination. We will continue to follow the guidance of applicable health and governmental in authorities in determining when our employees may resume business travel.

PERSONAL TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS

Any employee who has recently traveled to a Level 2 or Level 3 location or who has been on a cruise ship for personal reasons will be asked to remain home for 14 days following their return from that location/cruise.
As of today’s date, L2 and L3 locations are identified as follows: Mainland China (including Hong Kong and Macau); Iran; Italy; South Korea; Japan; Austria; Belgium; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Monaco; San Marino; and Vatican City.
Employees may work from home during this 14-day period if their job responsibilities permit them to do so. If an employee cannot do his or her job from home, the employee may use any available vacation or paid personal/sick time to cover that period. At the expiration of the 14-day period, if the employee does not have any symptoms potentially consistent with the coronavirus, the employee will then coordinate a return to work with HR.

USE OF MASS TRANSIT IN COMMUTING

For employees working in major metropolitan areas who rely solely on mass transit to commute to and from work, we ask that you work remotely until further notice if your job permits you to do so. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your manager or HR.

RESTRICTIONS ON IN-PERSON MEETINGS AND TASTINGS

Employees should not participate in-person in any meeting, whether internal or external, that has more than 10 people in attendance.
To support virtual meetings, local management should make necessary arrangements with IT so that any required sales or other meetings can be participated in remotely.
We are suspending in-person supplier meetings, to include supplier ride-withs, until further notice.

NO PARTICIPATION IN TASTINGS

We will not be participating in or sponsoring any tasting events until further notice. This applies regardless of whether the tasting is to be hosted by PMA Canada or by a third party and regardless of where the tasting is to take place.

ON-SITE VISITORS

The limited number of third parties, and particular vendors, who may still require access to our facilities will be required to disclose in advance whether, within 14 days of the planned meeting date, they have returned from travel to a Level 2 or Level 3 country or travel via cruise ship or if they, or anyone with whom they reside, has experienced symptoms potentially consistent with the coronavirus. If any potential site visitor responds to any of these questions in the affirmative, he or she will be asked to postpone the visit and/or to participate in the meeting remotely.
The host or meeting organizer is responsible for collecting this information utilizing the Company’s Coronavirus Self-Declaration form sent out in previous email. This form has the be completed and submitted to HR.

FOOD IN THE WORKPLACE

Employees should avoid leaving unwrapped food out in lunch and meeting rooms. Also, if planning catering for a meeting or event, please avoid items such as shared hors d’oeuvres and communal “self-serve” catering platters; instead consider individually wrapped and served items such as boxed lunches, pre-wrapped sandwiches, etc.

CHILDREN IN THE WORKPLACE

If an employee’s children are forced to stay home due to a coronavirus-related school closure, the children should not come to the office with the employee.
If an employee is unable to arrange for childcare during a period of school closure, the employee may plan to work remotely provided that his or her job responsibilities can be completed from home. If the employee’s job responsibilities cannot be completed from home, he or she may use any available vacation or paid personal/sick time to cover the absence.

REPORTING ILLNESS AND REMOTE WORK OPTIONS

Any employee who feels ill should not report to work and will be sent home if he or she does report to work. Common signs of coronavirus infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.
If an employee cannot report to work but can perform his or her job from home, the employee may do so with the approval of relevant management. If the employee is unable to work from home, he or she may utilize vacation or paid sick/personal time in accordance with Company Policy, or utilize Government assistance.
Any employee who has been absent from work with symptoms potentially consistent with coronavirus for 3 or more consecutive days will be required to present a doctor’s note to their manager and HR before returning to work, irrespective of whether or not the employee was working from home during that time.
In all cases, an employee should have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to work.

POSITIVE CORONAVIRUS TEST RESULTS

Any employee who tests positive for the coronavirus must immediately notify HR of the test result via email or phone so that the appropriate healthcare agencies can be notified and any necessary assistance can be obtained.
An employee should follow this same notification process if he or she resides with or has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus. The employee should not report to work or otherwise perform any public-facing duties in these circumstances.

GENERAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

The CDC has recommended that all individuals take the following everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of the virus, including:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Additional information on preventative measures can be accessed at the following sites:

We understand that this is a stressful time for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we navigate these challenges together. Our employees are PMA’s greatest asset and we have no higher priority than taking all steps possible to safeguard your health and well-being.