GESIA IT ASSOCIATION

(CIN: U74991GJ2016NPL091648)
(A Non Profit company u/s 8 of the companies act, 2013)

COVID-19 - CORONAVIRUS – ADVISORY: 20TH Mar. 2020

The coronavirus outbreak and its spread across countries and with updates from some cities in Gujarat over
last couple of days is a key area of concern for governments, corporates and all citizens. Safety and well-
being of human lives are the most important factors for all as we address this unprecedented challenge.
GESIA is tracking the developments and suggest all necessary precautions for our people and business
continuity. We are following developments around the coronavirus (COVID19) closely and making sure
we do everything to support the industry of our state and our employees in current challenging times. We
will continue to fight this issue as a community and work towards ensuring the safety and security of our
workforce.

ADVISORY:

1. Work from Home: GESIA advises to all companies to allow and enable employees to work from
home to the maximum extent possible. Please do track the state advisories to understand specific
guidance on this.

2. Business / Social Gatherings: GESIA advises all companies not have any office / business
gatherings or functions till 15-April-2020.

3. Business Travel and Self Isolation: Avoid any International and Domestic travels till 15-April-
2020. The government has directed that no international flights will be allowed to land in India for
a week from 22-March-2020. We advise companies to communicate this to all employees
particularly if you have employees returning from overseas. It is important for every company to
reiterate that self-isolation / quarantine is critical for any employees returning from overseas or
coming in contact with any suspected cases. We also advise companies to have self-isolation for
employees returning from affected areas within India as well.

4. Employee Communication and Sensitization: It is important that we continue to communicate

with employees. In case of mission critical activity, the employee needs to be communicated very
well on their need to come to office and help them understand why their work is mission critical.
Also communicate on all steps being taken by the companies to keep them safe and healthy.
Employees at the workplace should also be made to practice social distancing. They must be
sensitized on health and hygiene best practices and sanitation through medical experts.

5. Visitors / Business visitors: GESIA advises to all companies to discourage any visitors / suppliers
/ vendors / courier and food delivery services from entering office premises or campuses till 15-
April-2020. GESIA advises to encourage virtual and conf / video call meetings for all necessary
business meetings with clients, employees and business associates and avoid any in-person meeting
till 15-April-2020.

6. Janata Curfew on Sunday, 22nd March, 2020: The Prime Minister in his address to the nation
yesterday requested all citizens to impose a self-curfew on Sunday between 7 am – 9 pm. GESIA
is requesting all members to follow this curfew to demonstrate our commitment to an important
national crisis. Only critical essential services like data centers etc. should be kept operational.

7. Business Continuity Readiness: While the government has not announced a complete lockdown,
it is critical that companies plan for the scenario where in short notice a shutdown can be
announced. This is a precautionary measure for such scenario.

Registered Office: 300, 3rd Floor, Parshwanath Business Park,

Nr. Prahladnagar Garden, SG Highway, Satellite, Ahmedabad – 380 015
Tel. +91-79-66172117 | Email: secretariat@gesia.org | Website: www.gesia.org