Konica Minolta has recommended that its employees in Japan should work remotely and commute during off-peak hours in response to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The company has also cancelled business meetings and seminars. Fears over the coronavirus wiped $51 billion off the ASX yesterday, as Australia’s chief medical officer said "a strong possibility of a pandemic" had increased in recent days. The global number of cases has now risen to more than 79,000, with outbreaks in Italy, South Korea and Iran. The death toll in China is more than 2,500.
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| Commuters wear masks on a train in Tokyo, Japan (EPA) |
“In-depth notice about response to infectious diseases has been given to the employees in the group in Japan,” Konica Minolta said in a statement. “Mitigating risks for infection, the company recommends daily commute during off-peak hours and working remotely, as the domestic work force so often depends on public transportation. These actions are adopted in accordance with business environment of each company and its departments.
“Gatherings of many people, such as business meetings and seminars, are cancelled or postponed in the meantime. Alternative operations including call or video conferences are being utilized.”
Konica Minolta last week resumed production at its factories in China after closing them down following a Chinese government-ordered suspension in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The company's primary production facilities in China are located away from Wuhan, where the virus was first identified, in Wuxi, Dongguan, and Dalian.
Meanwhile, fellow Japan-based printing technology manufacturer Ricoh announced it will donate RMB 7 million (about 116 million yen or $A1.5m) to support the recovery from the coronavirus in China.
“In order to support the recovery effort, we will donate funds to support a recovery project in Hubei Province through the Red Cross Society of China Shanghai Branch," the company said. "Additionally, we will donate Multi-Function Printers and duplicators to the education department as well as elementary and junior high schools in China. We will also provide free support and supplies to our production print customers in Hubei Province. Ricoh sends its best wishes to all patients for a speedy recovery and hope that the virus infection will end quickly."
Earlier this month, Fujifilm also donated about $A1.5 million in equipment and supplies to support the response to the coronavirus in China, including Fuji Xerox printers that can be used at medical facilities.
Last week, organisers of global print expo FESPA 2020 began contacting all exhibitors and pre-registered visitors from China requesting evidence that those attending next month's trade show have not resided in or visited China at any time after 5th March 2020. Those not fulfilling this requirement will not be able to take part in the show.
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| (image: World Health Organisation) |
China’s National Health Commission said on Monday the national death toll had risen to 2,592. South Korea on Monday reported 161 more cases of the virus, bringing the nation’s total to 763 cases and seven deaths. Italy locked down ten towns near Milan over the weekend in response to an outbreak of the virus.
The global number of confirmed cases has now risen to more than 79,000, with Australia’s chief medical officer Professor Brendan Murphy telling The Age that "a strong possibility of a pandemic" had increased in recent days.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne has warned Australians not to travel to the centre of the outbreak, Hubei province. "We continue to advise Australians to not travel to China due to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak,” says a notice on the government’s smartraveller.com.au website. “Expect further restrictions and travel disruptions as other countries seek to control the spread of the outbreak.”
Australia has had 22 confirmed cases of coronavirus. 15 patients have recovered, the remaining are stable, according to a Federal Coronavirus Health Alert: "As at 06:30 hrs on 24 February 2020, we have 22 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Australia: 8 in Queensland; 4 in New South Wales; 6 in Victoria; 3 in South Australia; 1 in Western Australia. 15 of these cases are reported to have recovered. The remaining cases are in a stable condition."
