In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) we have created the following suggested steps that you and your membership body may wish to take.

Information updated: 5th April 2020 (10:00am)

What is it?
It is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that has never been encountered before. Like other coronaviruses, it has come from animals. Many of those initially infected either worked or frequently shopped in the Huanan seafood wholesale market in the centre of the Chinese city.

What are the symptoms?
The virus can cause pneumonia. Those who have fallen ill are reported to suffer coughs, fever and breathing difficulties. In severe cases there can be organ failure. As this is viral pneumonia, antibiotics are of no use. The antiviral drugs we have against flu will not work. Recovery depends on the strength of the immune system. Many of those who have died were already in poor health.

How can you prevent the spread?
– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. This is particularly important after taking public transport.
– Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
– Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin. You can download a ’Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ poster (PDF, 940KB) for your workplace from the NHS England website.
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home and work environment.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

What should you do to protect staff, members, volunteers and visitors?
Most Membership/Association Professionals should now be working from home. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has created a helpful list that you can download by clicking here. The list also includes the signposting of advice linked to staff sick leave.

Should you cancel member conferences and events?
We suggest that conferences and events scheduled to take place before the end of July should now be cancelled.

MemberWise Conferences and Seminars have been postponed. We have published a dedicated update page on our MEMX 2020 website (for our next conference now taking place on 8th October 2020) for delegates and key stakeholders.

It is prudent to have plans under review and contingency measures in place.

Contingency Planning
This activity is worth considering if your staff, members and volunteers are unavailable. NCVO has helpfully signposted two documents to review from Zurich Insurance and the Charities Facility Management Group. Click here for more information.

Insurance
Your insurer will be able to advise on related risk and your level of cover for communicative diseases. The government is to announce the Coronavirus as a notifiable disease and this may have implications for many policy holders.

Further Resources
A comprehensive set of resources have been compiled by NCVO and are listed on their website.