Outbreak of COVID-19 escalates
As Standard Bank, we are taking this pandemic extremely seriously, and have been working closely with the relevant authorities to reduce infection risk to our employees, customers and communities.
Standard Bank's COVID-19 Business Continuity Management response has been designed specifically to mitigate the risk to employees and customers of contracting the virus, while still being able to provide essential banking services.
In the interest of transparency, we are advising that to date three of our people in South Africa have tested positive for the coronavirus. In every instance we have taken all necessary steps to advise colleagues who may have been exposed to the virus and support them to take necessary precautions in respect of self-quarantine and seeking medical advice. We have also instituted immediate workplace decontamination protocols and, where necessary, have supported health authorities to trace other possible contacts.
In one instance to protect our people and our customers, we have had to close a branch for decontamination. The branch will re-open tomorrow so that we can continue to provide essential banking services to our customers.
The only way the spread of COVID-19 can be contained is if our people continue to advise us if they have tested positive, so that we can do everything possible to prevent further spread. Our thoughts are with those in self-isolation and in self-quarantine.
We appeal to all our people to continue to adopt stringent infection prevention behaviours, and exercise physical distancing so that we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 together.
When you are in self-quarantine, particularly if you have been tested and are waiting for the result, you must NOT COME TO WORK. Line managers must ensure that people stay in self-quarantine, either until 14 days is over, or if they test negative.