The health and well-being of our people is our top priority with the onset of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) spreading globally. That was the message of Saudi Aramco president and CEO Amin Nasser in a recent conference call with management.
He reiterated that we must all take special care of our own health, maintaining proper hygiene such as washing hands and avoiding crowded places, as well as getting proper medical treatment if we start to feel unwell, Nasser said on the call. The company has established a task force to address issues related to COVID-19 for both business operations and in our communities.
“We must take all necessary precautions. We need to be vigilant with our health,” Nasser said.
Across Saudi Aramco communities and facilities, a routine disinfection program is being implemented to sanitize high traffic areas and facilities in our communities to mitigate and prevent the potential spread of Coronavirus.
Over the past eight decades, Saudi Aramco has considered people its greatest assets, and as the world takes on the Coronavirus (or COVID-19), the company has made the health and safety of people its top priority. Our people play a crucial role in developing and providing the energy that enables economic growth for our communities and the globe, and this energy helps the world to meet global challenges such as the COVID-19 virus. Here is a list of actions taken by Saudi Aramco organizations to protect the health of our people:
Our People
- More than 100 employees and dependents were repatriated from high risk countries to Saudi Arabia
- Business travel and suspended Umrah flights were restricted to reduce the risk for employees
- Skype for Business was rolled out to most company workstations to reduce the need for face-to-face meetings
- Travel restrictions to high risk countries were announced (in alignment with Saudi government rules)
- Advice was given on the personal responsibility of each employee and their families for remaining healthy by maintaining good hygiene, avoiding mass gatherings, and respecting quarantine guidelines
- Remote working was implemented for employees with preexisting health conditions.
Our Communities
- A routine disinfection program has been implemented to disinfect high traffic areas and facilities in our communities to mitigate and prevent the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus
- All food outlets and recreational activities and facilities have been temporarily closed, including dining halls, restaurants, and coffee shops
- A months-long supply of high moving items for the commissary (such as food, hand sanitizer, masks, rubber gloves, and cleaning materials) has been stockpiled by Community Services
- Infection prevention screening has been implemented at the entrance of JHAH
- Inpatient visits at JHAH have been suspended to protect the well-being of people under their care.
Our Operations
- Reservation of meeting venues were restricted and large events were canceled
- The frequency of routine disinfection of office facilities and high touch public areas was increased, in partnership with JHAH
- Warnings were distributed concerning potential malicious emails leveraging fears of the Coronavirus to lure people to click on links or download attachments for more information on the COVID-19 virus
- To promote crisis readiness, an increased frequency of drills and preparedness exercises is taking place throughout various facilities and office buildings. Please expect drills to take place in your area, and support the readiness teams in their efforts.
— The Arabian Sun: March 18, 2020 | Vol. LXXV, No. 12