What Are We Doing About COVID-19?

As a group, we have a duty of care – to communicate business practices, regarding COVID-19, to employees and customers. As of Sunday 22nd of March we’ve put together a group-wide policy to put in practical safeguards for everyone visiting and working at our stores.

As a community, we stand united in the need to be sensible and responsible for how our individual actions may impact the lives of people who are more vulnerable to the virus. We ask that all customers take the time to read our policy guidelines and support your community by adopting behaviours to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

We are staying informed

We are monitoring the status on a daily basis, we are referring to trusted sites, like the WHO website and the Department of Health website, or Victoria Health and Human Services site. We have also familiarised ourselves with Worksafe Victoria’s legal guidance materials relating to coronavirus in workplaces.

We are talking to our team

We know that employees may be anxious about the risk to their health. We have addressed their fears with regular, informed updates. Under WHS/OHS legislation requirements we have provided information to employees about health and safety in the workplace. We have provided employees with the right advice on good hygiene practices for work and home.

We have

1. 1. Promoted respect and understanding
   2. Allowed employees to ask questions and share their concerns

We have made sure that we do not

1. 1. Create a culture of fear and discrimination
   2. Share information that is unproven

We have outlined our health and safety standards 

High personal hygiene standards are vital to protect against the spread of infection. We recommend you practice good hygiene to protect against infections.  

Good hygiene Includes –

1. 1. Wash hands often with soap and running water, for at least 20 seconds. Dry with a paper towel or hand dryer.
   2. Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
   3. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.
   4. Isolate yourself at home if you feel sick. If you take medication to ensure you have adequate supplies.
   5. Phone your GP first if you need medical attention. They will tell you what to do.
   6. Continue healthy habits: exercise, drink water, get plenty of sleep, and now is the time to quit smoking. Call Quitline 137 848.
   7. Don’t wear a face mask if you are well.
   8. Buy an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with over 60 per cent alcohol.
   9. Get the flu shot (available April).
   10. Please avoid shaking hands

Additional measures – to be provided by store managers

1. 1. All cashier staff are advised to wear rubber gloves  and all staff are advised to wear gloves
   3. We recommend that all staff are recommended to wear masks – subject to availability
   4. Requirement- Providing hand sanitizer for staff and customers – subject to availability
   5. Please maintain acceptable levels of social distancing – this is about 1-1.5m away from one another and customers
   6. Please clean the POS area frequently with an appropriate cleaning product 
   7. All staff must inform us immediately if they are experiencing symptoms and or have a family member who has been experiencing symptoms – you are advised to stay at home. 
   8. Please print out this guide and have it pinned up in common areas – kitchen and POS area.
   9. Ask each employee to sign the acknowledgement document on page 3

We are open and offering online orders/delivery

All of our stores are currently open, if you do not feel well please stay at home. If you would like to purchase health food products and do not feel comfortable leaving your home we have an online store where we offer a delivery 5km around each of our stores. If a product isn’t available online – feel free to contact your local store. greatearth.com/locations

For elderly and high-risk individuals, we are happy to take phone orders and process payments online.

For Our Managers, we have encouraged them to

Ask employees to notify us  immediately if they:

1. 1. have travelled to an affected area since the beginning of 2020; and/or
   2. are suffering, or have suffered, flu-like symptoms since the virus was first detected.

If they have answered yes to either of these questions, we have directed them not to attend work during the risk period and ask them to seek medical advice and clearance before returning to work.

We are sharing our requirements with customers

Display information material of your requirements in your reception area, email footers, website, and/or social media. This indicates to all visitors your expectations about what they should do while in your workplace.

What about Domestic and International travel

Employers should consider whether any scheduled business travel is necessary for the current environment. If possible, choose alternative communication options.

Information Sources

This information has been compiled from a number of trusted sources, however, if you have any questions relating to novel coronavirus, contact the Coronavirus Health Information Line, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tel: 1800 020 080

Our policy is subject to change – we are holding weekly meetings and we will update you with any policy changes.

Thank you for taking the time to read. 

Shadi Zeneldin