Indeed staff in Dublin told to work from home amid fears of possible coronavirus exposure
A woman wears a face mask (Victoria Jones/PA)
Around 1000 Dublin based staff at one of the country's biggest tech multinationals have been told to stay away from their office to prevent possible exposure to coronavirus.
Recruitment firm Indeed has confirmed that it has asked all staff in its Dublin office to work from home amid concerns of possible exposure to the coronavirus.
Some family members of an Indeed employee in its Singapore office are currently being tested for the virus after they were hospitalised with pneumonia.
It is not yet known if the family have the virus, as it will take 48 hours for the results to become known.
Some staff who visited Singapore were also in the company’s Dublin and Sydney office recently.
The company confirmed the move in Dublin is being taken as a precaution.
“One of Indeed's employees in Singapore may have been exposed to coronavirus after their family members visited a facility caring for a coronavirus patient,” Indeed told the Irish Independent.
“While there are no confirmed cases of infection, out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our employees, we have asked all employees in Singapore, along with anyone who has recently visited our Singapore offices, to work from home until February 17.
"Since some employees who visited Singapore have recently visited our Sydney and Dublin offices, we are asking all employees in the Dublin and Sydney offices to work from home until we have received confirmation,” it added.
The company said it is “deeply concerned” about the employee's family in Singapore.
Indeed is “in close communication with this employee and are ensuring that they are getting the care and support they need,” it added in the email to staff seen by Independent.ie.
The Singapore employee in question is “still feeling fine.”
Any employees that are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or chest pains should seek medical attention, Indeed said.
It has also said it is reaching out to HSE and "will continue to keep local health organisations informed."