Absa Seychelles staff member tests negative following exposure to confirmed COVID-19 case |10 July 2020
Absa Bank Seychelles has confirmed that the member of staff at the bank who was exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case has yesterday tested negative for the virus.
“We are relieved at the outcome of this particular case, for our staff member and their family in particular, but we are disappointed at the speculation and stigma we saw this week. Not only was there gross violations of privacy, but we received reports of poor treatment of our colleagues in uniform that are really disheartening; even incidences where they were refused entry to certain places based purely on their uniform,” said Johan Van Schalkwyk, the managing director of Absa Bank.
“If we are to get through this pandemic, we need to be responsible about the information we consume and share, and be both cautious and compassionate with one another. Bank employees, along with many others, are essential workers who, no matter the threat level of the pandemic, have to put service to others, in our case our customers, above everything else. So as we remain vigilant and conscious of the fact that COVID-19 is not a short term threat, let us adopt a “be safe but kind” mind-set,” he added.
The MD further explained that the team members currently on home-quarantine will remain on home leave until next week when their recommended quarantine period ends and will be adhering to the bank’s rigorous return to work governance protocols.
As per the previous communiqué, the bank would like to reiterate that it has been operating under strict physical distancing protocols, with constant awareness efforts and socialisation of health and safety workplace best practices since the start of this pandemic, certified by the Public Health Authority.
Hand sanitisers have been made available at multiple spots across our offices and branch network, and the bank has established a 24-hour hotline since March 2020 for any colleague concerns, queries, or to report potential exposure.
Furthermore, Absa has a daily health check certification procedure in place with all colleagues to ensure no potential symptoms go unchecked.
As always, our top priority is the health and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers, and that of their families and surrounding communities. As such, we will continue to monitor the situation and react in accordance with the Department of Health’s procedures during this time.
The bank would finally like to thank the department of health for its swift response in regards to the Absa staff during this incident.
“We remain supportive of the efforts of the health authorities to conduct thorough contact tracing and firmly believe that the honest engagement of potentially exposed people who come forward for testing is essential,” said MD Van Schalkwyk.
Press release from Absa