Contingency Plan – COVID-19

1. CONTEXT

1.1. WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?

2. HOW IS COVID-19 TRANSMITTED?

COVID-19 is considered to be transmissible:

• Through respiratory droplets (particles larger than 5 microns);
• Through direct contact with infectious secretions;
• Through aerosols generated during therapeutic procedures that produce them (smaller than 1 micron).

Person-to-person transmission has been confirmed and is believed to occur during close exposure to a person with COVID-19, through the spread of respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. These droplets may be inhaled or land on the mouth, nose or eyes of people nearby.

Transmission may also occur when hands come into contact with a surface or object contaminated with the new coronavirus and subsequently touch the oral, nasal or ocular mucous membranes (mouth, nose or eyes).

2.1. WHAT ARE THE MAIN SYMPTOMS?

Symptoms are similar to those of the flu and may include:

• Fever;
• Cough;
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
• Fatigue.

2.2. WHAT IS THE INCUBATION PERIOD AND HOW DOES THE DISEASE MANIFEST ITSELF?

According to the latest information published by the Health Authorities, the incubation period, from exposure until the appearance of symptoms, ranges from 2 to 12 days.

As a precautionary measure, active monitoring of close contacts takes place for 14 days from the date of the last exposure to a confirmed case.

Preventive measures related to COVID-19 take into account both direct transmission routes, through the air and direct contact, and indirect transmission routes, through contaminated surfaces or objects.

3. CONTINGENCY PLAN

3.1. Plan and Actions

3.2. Infection Prevention

1. The following is mandatory for all employees:

• When sneezing or coughing, cover the mouth and nose with the arm;
• Wash and disinfect hands thoroughly and frequently. Alcohol-based disinfectant products have been placed at several points throughout the premises;
• Do not enter the premises if experiencing fever, cough or difficulty breathing.

2. Cleaning

• The working hours of employee Anabela Esteves have been changed so that the company premises are cleaned before employees arrive;
• Daily cleaning now includes the disinfection of all workstations and common areas.

3. COVID-19 Prevention and Control Measures

• Send the Contingency Plan and other relevant information by email to all employees, allowing for any questions or requests for clarification;
• Display information posters throughout BIQHS premises;
• Biometric access records have been replaced by cards;
• BIQHS vehicles have been made available to transport employees, thereby avoiding the use of public transport;
• Employees have been distributed across different rooms, reducing the number of people in each space;
• 50% of employees are working remotely.

4. RESPONSE IN THE EVENT OF SUSPECTED INFECTION AND ISOLATION

In the event of suspected infection involving themselves or another person, all employees must immediately inform the person responsible at BIQHS.

If the suspicion is considered relevant, the person will be directed to the designated isolation room, located on the lower floor, in the MEETING ROOM.

When moving to the isolation room, the person must not touch any surfaces or interact with third parties.

The person responsible will immediately report the case to the health authorities, and the instructions provided by those authorities must then be followed.

If the case is confirmed, BIQHS will carry out the cleaning and disinfection measures defined by the health authorities and will seek to identify the movements and interactions of the infected person.

According to the Directorate-General of Health (DGS), Guideline 006/2020 of 26 February 2020, the estimated incubation period for COVID-19 is between 2 and 12 days.

As a precautionary measure, active monitoring of close contacts takes place for 14 days from the date of the last exposure to the confirmed case.