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Merit Family,
For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, warmer weather is finally upon us. The summer season traditionally has been a time to travel with family and friends.
However, I'd like to stress that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all travel is unpredictable at this time.
Traveling increases your risk of becoming infected as well as the chances of spreading COVID-19. Therefore,
staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.
If travel is necessary, Merit requests that any employee who travels to a country, territory, or state identified as higher risk notify their supervisor of their
travel. Merit defines higher risk areas using the Healix International recommendations (referenced later in this newsletter).
I hope this week's newsletter provides guidance and helps to answer any travel questions you may have.
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GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR TRAVELING WITHIN THE UNITED STATES
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Before traveling, first ask yourself the following questions:1
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Is COVID-19 spreading where you're going?
You can get infected while traveling.
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Is COVID-19 spreading in your community?
Even with no symptoms, you can spread COVID-19 to others while traveling.
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Will you or those you're traveling with be within 6 ft of others during and after your trip?
Being within 6 ft of others increases your chances of getting infected and infecting others.
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Are you or those you're traveling with more likely to get very ill from COVID-19?
Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk.
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Do you live with someone who's more likely to get very ill from COVID-19?
If you get infected while traveling, you can spread COVID-19 to loved ones when you return, even if you don't have symptoms.
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Does your state or local government where you live or at your destination require you to stay home for 14 days after traveling?
Some governments may require people who have recently traveled to stay home for 14 days.
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If you get sick with COVID-19. will you have to miss work or school?
People with COVID-19 disease need to stay home until they're no longer considered infectious.
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HEALIX INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE-SPECIFIC TRAVELING GUIDELINES
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As a company, Merit Medical has a high percentage of employees who travel for work. Understandably, there may be situations when travel is essential
for business to operate. Depending on where an employee travels, there may also be quarantines that need to be followed after a trip.
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Please remember that at this time, all work travel needs to be approved by Merit CEO, Fred Lampropoulos. Find Merit's Travel Policy
here.
To help guide us during this time, Merit uses
Healix International recommendations because its information is based on that of the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and
other international organizations.
When traveling, please follow the below Healix International general precautions against COVID-19 wherever you are.2
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Wash your hands regularly with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) or with an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR), especially after coughing and sneezing and before handling and consuming food. Consider
carrying an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you.
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When coughing and sneezing, use disposable tissues and dispose of them carefully and promptly. If you have no tissues, use the inner elbow of your clothing. Avoid using your hands to cover your mouth.
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Avoid touching your face, in particular mouth, eyes, and nose.
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Avoid shaking hands with people. Instead simply greet people with hands by your side, or use a novel approach such as an elbow-to-elbow.
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Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, not forgetting that the virus can settle on your cell phone.
Additional precautions in areas with sustained community transmission:
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Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell or who are coughing or sneezing. Avoid sharing personal items.
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Minimize going out into the general population and practice social distancing (maintain a distance of approximately 6 ft, if possible) whenever out in public.
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Avoid crowds, stores, crowded public transit, sporting, or mass entertainment events, and other situations likely to attract large numbers of people.
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Take your temperature with a thermometer twice a day. Watch for cough or difficulty breathing. Fever means feeling hot/sweaty or having a measured temperature of 100.4F/38C or higher.
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Stay home wherever possible.
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Thoroughly cook all meat and eggs before consuming.
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Avoid unprotected contact with wild or domestic farm animals (alive or dead).
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If you become unwell in areas with sustained community transmission:
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If you become unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) you must immediately take precautions to isolate yourself from colleagues and family members.
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Healix clients should call Healix immediately if feeling unwell. They can advise whether or not you should work from home, self-isolate, present for COVID-19 testing, or contact emergency services.
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In some countries you'll be directed to specialist government infection control hospitals. However, a number of private hospitals have been designated as pre-hospital screening centers and are able
to perform testing for COVID-19. All positive cases will, nevertheless, be referred to government appointed infection control hospitals. Some health authorities (China, South Korea, UK) have initiated community swab teams to perform home testing and also "drive-through"
testing, in order to minimize contact with other symptomatic people.
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Healix advises that individuals with mild symptoms manage their illness at home, ensuring that they take steps to isolate themselves from family members (see below).
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All patients with severe symptoms (including shortness of breath) must seek medical care immediately at a designated hospital, remembering that they should always telephone ahead to advise of their
symptoms and any relevant travel history.
Countries/Territories: COVID-19 Risk
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Bangladesh
Belarus
Brazil
Chile
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Armenia
Afghanistan
Argentina
Bolivia
Cameroon
Canada
Colombia
Dominican Republic
Djibouti
Egypt
El Salvador
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
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Indonesia
Italy
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Poland
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
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Sudan
Sweden
Tajikistan
Turkey
UK
Ukraine
USA – Massachusetts, Texas, California, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Florida, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, N Carolina
UAE
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Europe & CIS
Azerbaijan
Belgium
Bulgaria
France
Portugal
Romania
The Netherlands
Turkmenistan
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Africa
Algeria
DR Congo
Gabon
Ghana
Mayotte
Morocco
Senegal
Asia Pacific
Malaysia
Philippines
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Americas
Cayman Islands
Ecuador
French Guiana
USA – Excluding the above in Band B
MENA
Bahrain
Iraq
Palestine
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This information changes weekly. Please check the Healix webpage for updates.
Healix Advice for Returning Travelers (with no symptoms)
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Returning from countries/territories listed in Band A:
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Self-isolate for 14 days. See below advice if you develop symptoms.
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Returning from countries/territories listed in Band B:
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Self-isolate for 14 days. See below advice if you develop symptoms.
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Returning from countries/territories listed in Band C:
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- Self-monitor for 14 days and self-isolate immediately. Don't go to work if you develop even the most minor symptoms.
Check with your HR department to find out whether there's a requirement to work from home during this period.
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Healix Advice for Returning Travelers (with symptoms)
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If you become unwell within 14 days of returning from countries/territories in Bands A, B, or C
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- Self-isolate immediately and seek prompt medical advice if you develop symptoms by calling your national public
health authority helpline, reporting on your recent travel history to let them know that you may have been exposed.
Additional guidance:
- Self-isolate if you become unwell after travel until you have been assessed by a health professional.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) or with an alcohol-based hand rub, especially
after coughing and sneezing and before handling and consuming food.
- When coughing and sneezing, use disposable tissues and dispose of them carefully and promptly. If you have no tissues,
use the inner elbow of your clothing. Don't use your hands to cover your mouth.
- Consistently wearing a face covering may help to prevent spread to others. Caution should be taken not to touch your
mouth or face under the face covering, as this will potentially transmit virus.
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It seems like every day (COVID-19 or no) we're bombarded with frightening and worrisome news. But the truth of the matter is, good things are happening all around
uswe just have to look.
This week's Silver Lining Story is not only one of hope but one of immense opportunity. According to a recent UN report, the temporary shutdown of
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activities due to the pandemic could give oceans "much-needed breathing space" to recover from pollution, overfishing, and the impacts of climate change.
"Healthy oceans are intricately linked to achieving sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific," said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, head of the UN office in the
region. "During these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to take advantage of the window of opportunity offered by reduced emissions and energy demand to protect the marine environment."
Read the
full UN News article here and learn why it's important to
shift toward "green" practices now.
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UPDATE ON COVID-19 AT MERIT
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We've now identified 31 cases of COVID-19 among the Merit family of approximately 6,100 (16 in the United States, one in France, two in Ireland, one in The Netherlands,
and 11 in Mexico). These employees are all recovering well and are at home or have returned to work.
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All facilities have implemented stringent COVID-19 protection measures to prevent any spread of the virus among Merit employees.
Please visit the Merit Metro (for employees who have Merit email addresses) or
www.merit.com/covid-19-response-resource-page/ for the most updated information on Merit and COVID-19.
Please stay safe. Please stay positive (and keep smiling from 6 feet). I look forward to sharing more information with you soon.
Regards,
Dr. Nicole Priest, MD
Merit Medical Chief Wellness Officer
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REFERENCES
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2020. "Coronavirus in the United States—Considerations for Travelers." Last modified April 24, 2020.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html.
2. Healix International. 2020. "Up-to-Date Guidance for Employers and Travelers." Last updated May 22, 2020.
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This communication is for internal distribution only. You may discuss appropriate content of the communication with individuals outside of Merit, but may not distribute
the communication itself to individuals outside of Merit.
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