Italian oil and gas contractor Saipem has told workers in the affected coronavirus regions to “stay at home” and avoid “social interactions”.
The Milan-headquartered firm announced today that “all missions abroad” are cancelled with workers at site “reduced to the minimum”.
Saipem said it had been in contact will all staff in affected areas in Italy – particularly the most affected region of Lombardy – and had issued “prompt indications and the best possible assistance”.
It has also “sanitised” all its offices located in Milan.
A seventh person in Italy reportedly died from the virus today.
Up to 50,000 people are understood to be affected in the dozen of so towns now placed under quarantine by Italian officials.
Up to 2,600 people have died from the virus thus far with almost 80,000 infected.
Most victims are in China, where the coronavirus broke out a number of weeks ago.
A release by Saipem within the last few hours said: “Since Friday 21 February, all employees with residence in the municipalities indicated by the Regions involved have been invited to stay at their home, avoiding social interactions.
“Saipem’s Health and Occupational Medicine structure is in contact with all the people involved through a direct communication channel to provide them with prompt indications and the best possible assistance.
“In addition, as a further safety action on top of those already in place, the work areas of the Milanese offices have been sanitized during the weekend of February, 22nd and 23rd, with specific viricidal and bactericidal products.
“The same action will be repeated daily in all Saipem workplaces.
“At the same time, all missions abroad, to and from risk areas, are canceled and reduced to the minimum.
“In addition, through the WHO (World Health Organization), the possible occurrence of further limitations against travelers to and from Italy is monitored and will be promptly notified.
“Finally, the company has activated an assessment aimed at reducing the physical presence in the office, while maintaining business continuity.
“We will take care to further communicate and update, both internally and externally, in real time on the situation developments.”