COVID-19 daa Employee Guide - Questions

March 20, 2020

COVID-19

Some more questions

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answered

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The safety and security of our staff and passengers is always our key priority

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If there are any changes to public health guidelines or to procedures at our airports, we will let you know.

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Preventing the spread of the COVID-19 One of the best ways to stop the spread of the virus is good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene.

Although it sounds so obvious, we can’t emphasise enough that we should all continue to regularly wash our hands with soap and water or with a hand sanitiser. Soap and water are every bit as effective as a hand sanitiser.

We have taken delivery of more hand sanitisers and these have been placed in staff and in public areas.

We should all practice good respiratory hygiene - when coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or a tissue. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitiser.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus to yourself.

It is also recommended to regularly disinfect all objects and surfaces, including desks, keyboards, mobile devices, touch pads and workspaces.

The HSE has shared some guidelines on how to prevent the spread of the virus and these are shown in this poster.

Some more questions answered As more information about OIVID-19 becomes available we have been updating this guide and sharing those updates. There have also been more questions from you about what this means for you, so we’ve covered a few other areas in this section.

1. How easily does COVID-19 spread?

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Current information suggests that COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person. While people are most likely to pass on the infection when they have symptoms, there are some indications that people may be able to spread the virus before they develop symptoms.

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2. How can I avoid getting infected?

One of the best ways to stop the spread of the virus is good hand and respiratory hygiene.

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Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. You can use a hand sanitiser hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty.

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Practice good respiratory hygiene - when coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or a tissue. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitiser.

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Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus to yourself.

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It is also recommended to regularly disinfect all objects and surfaces, including desks, keyboards, mobile devices, touch pads and workspaces.

3. Do I need to wear a facemask to protect me from COVID-19? mask?

You should only wear a facemask if you are ill with symptoms of COVID-19 (especially coughing) or looking after someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill, then you do not need a facemask. There is no evidence that using facemasks is of any benefit in people who are not sick or caring for someone who is sick. There is a world-wide shortage of masks and the World Health Organization (WHO) advises rational use of medical masks to avoid unnecessary wastage of precious resources.

4. Do I have to come to work, or can I work from home?

As a provider of essential services, we are committed to keeping our airports and Ireland open.

We are however very aware of the guidelines in relation to minimising risk and preventing the spread of COVID-19 and also how companies who are continuing to operate should deal with social distancing.

Therefore, where practicable we are facilitating non-frontline staff to work from home. In all cases where any employee is working from home this has to be agreed in advance with their manager.

Where possible we are asking our people leaders to work with their teams to split them into different working groups so they can protect themselves, their colleagues and the business. In some cases these teams will still need to come to work.

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It is critical therefore that anyone who has not activated their company email address should do so. It is essential that we can contact you so we can keep you up to date with the latest information. At times like this we need to stay connected.

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Everyone may be asked to support the operation in different ways, and we will shortly share more information on this with you. Where we have more people than we need, you will be contacted by your manager by email to advise if you are required to attend work directly or work your rostered hours from home.

5. Can I park in the short-term car park when I am reporting for duty at Dublin Airport?

Yes, employees who are rostered for duty at Dublin Airport can park in our multi-storey car parks. This will allow you to park closer to work and avoid the need to use our staff car park shuttle buses.

6. Why do we need a task force?

A task force has been set up at Dublin Airport to support the sanitisation of different touch points (e. g handrails, check in desks, self-service kiosks, lift doors and buttons).

All non-frontline staff are also expected to take part and support the task force as part of our efforts to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to complete a minimum of 2 x 4-hour shifts per week. Initially the task force will be deployed to support the sanitisation of the airport but may be redeployed to other tasks depending on business needs. You can book your shifts here – Online Booking System Other arrangements may apply for Cork Airport and these will be communicated locally.

7. What should I do if I am told to self-isolate?

The HSE guidelines state that you will need to self-isolate in a number of cases, where, • • •

you certified/tested positive for COVID-19.

you believe that they have COVID-19 symptoms.

you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 symptoms, including caring for someone displaying symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19.

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you returned from anywhere abroad from March 17

you returned from a highly affected area before March 17

Process for employees who can work remotely during enforced self – isolation i.e. not sick/no symptoms •

For some employees who have been told to self-isolate the option of working remotely

may be possible.

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Where you can effectively work from home during this isolation period i.e., you are not sick and not claiming any social welfare benefits, you should do so by agreement with

your line manager in advance.

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You will continue to be paid as normal.

The company health care provider, CHI will call you as your self-isolation period comes to an end and in advance of your returning to work to discuss your circumstances.

If you become ill during this period, then the process below applies.

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Process for employees who cannot work remotely during self-isolation, i.e. sick/displaying symptoms or not in a role conducive to remote working.

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You should self-isolate in accordance with HSE guidelines and contact your GP.

If your GP confirms that self-isolation is required, the employee should request a medical certificate and forward this to their line manager and sickcerts@daa.ie by email.

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If in the event that your GP cannot provide you with a certificate you should email sickcerts@daa.ie and state the reason for your absence, confirming that you have

contacted your GP. You should follow this with a phone call to your line manager explaining the situation.

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Your GP will need to forward a certificate to the Department of Employment Affairs and

Social Protection so that you can claim the enhanced illness benefit.

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In addition to the certificate required from your GP, you will also need to complete an application form for enhanced illness benefit (Form IB1) and submit this to the

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Information about this process can be found at the following link – click here. You can also call 1890 800 024 or 01 2481398 between 9.00 and 17:00.

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The company health care provider, CHI will call you as your self-isolation period comes to an end and in advance of you returning to work to discuss you circumstances.

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If you are unfit to return to work, you should submit a medical certificate on a weekly basis thereafter.

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Before returning to work you must inform your line manager of your intention to return.

As per existing processes you must also submit a fitness to work certificate from your GP

to sickcerts@daa.ie

8. What should I do if I am well but unable to work?

If you are unable to attend work, for example if you need to care for children or dependents who are not symptomatic and not required to isolate, you must notify their manager/supervisor as soon as practicable.

In this situation you can request: • • • • • • •

the next available shift where attendance is required. the time from your annual leave balance the time from your time in lieu balance the shift as an unpaid shift/ day/ leave.

Force Majeure leave (full block of 5 days or remaining balance if required).

Parental Leave (including Parents Leave) without providing the requisite notice periods. to remote work if possible and where practicable and by agreement with you line

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All arrangements must be requested and agreed with your supervisors / managers to ensure that we can continue to operate our airports. We will continue to monitor the evolving situation and review our advice accordingly.

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manager in advance.

9. What should I do if I have an underlying medical condition or concerns for my health?

If you have any specific medical conditions or underlying health conditions that you are concerned about during this outbreak, then you should contact your line manager or supervisor who will provide further guidance.

10. What should I do if I display COVID-19 symptoms: At work If you are feeling unwell, please call your manager immediately. If you develop symptoms associated with COVID-19 you need to isolate yourself in one of the designated rooms located in the Agriculture rooms in T1 and T2 and contact your line manager. If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, your manager will contact the Airport Police Fire Service/Ambulance Crew who will respond.

Outside of work If you display COVID-19 symptoms outside of work, take sensible precautions in line with HSE guidance to isolate yourself, talk to your GP and/or local Emergency Department (112 or 999) if you are worried, and take their advice on reporting your condition further.

In both cases if you are told to self- isolate or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 by your doctor, you should contact your line manager and inform them. You should not attend work under any circumstances.

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Your doctor will need to send a medical certificate on your behalf to the Department of

Employment Affairs and Social Protection in order for you to claim your enhanced social

welfare entitlement using Form IB1.

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You should ask your doctor to email a copy of the medical certificate to you directly for you to forward a copy to sickcerts@daa.ie and your line manager.

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If in the event that your GP cannot provide you with a certificate you should email

sickcerts@daa.ie and state the reason for your absence. You should follow this with a

phone call to your line manager explaining the situation.

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Before you return to work you need to contact your line manager and advise them of

your intention to return and submit a fitness to work certificate again to sickcerts@daa.ie.

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You will also be contacted by our health care provider, CHI before you are allowed to return to work.

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If you need to care for an immediate family member (parents, children, partner, siblings) who has had confirmed or probable COVID-19 in the last 14 days, you should follow the guidance from the HSE and your healthcare provider. You should contact your manager/supervisor directly to advise them of the situation and provide evidence of the instruction to self-isolate.

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11. What should I do if I care for someone who has COVID-19?

You will be contacted by CHI by telephone before you return to work.

Where you can effectively work from home during this isolation period by agreement in advance from their manager, then you should.

12. What should I do if I think I have been exposed to COVID-19 at work?

The HSE recommends that you isolate yourself in a designated area and let your manager or supervisor know immediately. Your supervisor will contact the Airport Police Fire Service/Ambulance Crew who will advise what to do next. If it is confirmed that you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should follow the guidance from the HSE, company guidelines and your healthcare provider in terms of isolation and your return to work.

13. How will my pay be impacted if I am required to self-isolate?

Where you have been advised to self-isolate, and work from home, you will continue to receive full pay.

If you are required to self-isolate on medical or HSE / Government advice and are unable to work from home, you will receive your full pay (including shift pay/RDA) less the

enhanced social welfare benefit for the 14 days of isolation, which you will need to claim for using Form IB1. Sick pay credits will not be affected as a result of this absence. To clarify, normal sick pay processes and entitlements will apply if you are still ill after the initial 14day period.

14. How is my sick pay impacted if I contract COVID-19?

If after the 14 days of isolation you are certified as being sick you will be paid your normal sick pay less the enhanced social welfare entitlement, with discretion to extend beyond normal entitlement. Your sick pay credits will normally be reduced to reflect this absence but if you have no sick pay credits exist then sick pay will apply on a discretionary basis.

15. What is the procedure if a passenger approaches me and says they have been to an affected area and are unwell?

At Dublin Airport, the paramedics should be contacted via the Fire Station (Ext 4444 or 01 8144444) or in Cork call call the Duty Manager on 087 419 4332 who will isolate the passenger and escalate to appropriate first responders & HSE as required.

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The paramedics will provide guidance on the steps you should take next based on their assessment of the situation.

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16. Who can I talk to if I am concerned about this situation?

While the HSE provides a helpline service and many people are also contacting their GP we are conscious that these services can be stretched.

We therefore asked Corporate Health Ireland (CHI), our occupational health provider, to provide a helpline for our staff. This provides another avenue to get answers in relation to any COVID-19 health related questions. The number for CHI is 01- 6855562 and is available seven days per week 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday and 10:00 – 18:00 Saturday and Sunday.

The VHI Employee Assistance Programme is available to all employees’ 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Freephone 1800 995 956 or emailing eap@vhics.ie and please don’t be afraid to use it- they don’t provide details of any calls.

17. Should I go ahead with planned training?

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If you have training planned, then the trainer will be required to complete a Risk Assessment.

Consideration should be given that any trainers and/or visitors travelling to daa to deliver or participate in such training events are not sick.

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