Agnico has a duty to provide a safe working environment and our priority is to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and contractors, as well as of our surrounding communities.
The Company is basing its guidelines on, and is following, advice of the public health authorities and Governments with respect to COVID-19 in the countries and regions where we operate.
All operations have set up special management task forces and have implemented site-specific pandemic plans that enable them to better meet and respond to changing conditions in their regions.
We have taken steps and implemented measures against the virus to keep a safe working environment for our employees and contractors and prevent the risk of the virus spreading. We are making sure that all appropriate measures are well communicated and implemented.
This is a rapidly evolving situation which we are monitoring very closely on an ongoing basis to respond promptly to changing conditions.
We have:
- Launched awareness campaigns across global operations to educate all employees on preventive measures and hygiene best practices;
- Implemented and are regularly updating policies for employees who become ill or are concerned that they may have been exposed to the virus;
- Implemented teleworking at our mines and offices for every identified position that can be done remotely (home-based) until further notice;
- Implemented strict protocols for employees returning from travel abroad to self-isolate;
- Restricted all business travel and prohibited employees from travelling abroad;
- Strongly advised our employees to avoid personal travelling abroad and we are monitoring personal travel to identify potential risks;
- Implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols at all our operations and offices;
- Cancelled or postponed all events, visits and meetings;
- Suspended visits to operations by non-essential visitors and contractors; and
- We are encouraging all employees to avoid exposure to large gatherings of people.
As a result of the remote nature of some of our operations, such as in Nunavut, specific protocols are already in place to isolate, treat or transport employees who have the flu or other illnesses which are considered contagious. These protocols have now been updated to also include COVID-19 and additional measures have been put in place for these operations.
We continue to follow the situation closely to respond as promptly as needed.