For more than a year now we have been sharing updates on the COVID-19 situation. It’s with mixed emotions that I share today’s update. We have two drastically different scenarios between our U.S. and India offices. We have good news for our U.S.-based team, while we remain hopeful for brighter days ahead for our India-based team.

 

CURRENT SITUATION

U.S. offices—Cases of the virus in both New York State and Virginia are at an all-time low. 38% of U.S. citizens are fully vaccinated, and nearly every U.S. state has dropped mask mandates for fully vaccinated people based on new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

India office—In contrast, more than two-thirds of states in India are in full lockdown, including Telangana, where our office is located. From May 12 through May 30, citizens must abide by strict curfews between 10 am and 6 am. Public transportation and businesses such as grocery stores are open between 6 am and 10 am only. Only 3% of India’s citizens are fully vaccinated.

 

NEW COVID-19 PROTECTION GUIDELINES BY OFFICE

Based on varying circumstances by geography, eHealth Technologies is adopting business practices that comply with state and national health recommendations. Our policies will be updated to include guidelines for identifying vaccinated individuals and masking protocols for visitors who enter our buildings.

 

U.S. Offices in New York and Virginia are Open

  • Consistent with the latest guidelines from the CDC and the states of New York and Virginia, if you are fully vaccinated, you are no longer required to wear a mask or social distance while in the office. Being fully vaccinated means that it has been two weeks since your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after your single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Individuals may choose to wear a mask or not, depending on their comfort level. We ask employees to respect one another’s personal circumstance and preference.
  • Trainees who are required to work onsite are strongly encouraged to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and must provide proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated trainees must receive a negative COVID-19 test result and complete daily screening questions prior to entering the building, wear a face mask, and maintain social distancing of six feet.
  • If you are not vaccinated and need to be in the building, please contact Human Resources or your department director in advance for permission. You will also be required to show a negative COVID-19 test result, complete a daily screening questionnaire, and wear a face mask.

 

Rochester office

  • The Rochester office will open to fully vaccinated team members starting June 1. Proof of vaccination must be provided to Human Resources prior to entering the office. (Employees may block out their birth date on the card if desired.) Individuals who would like to work onsite, please contact your manager with your desired return date. The office has been recently cleaned and all workspaces were disinfected. We look forward to welcoming you back!

 

Duffield office

  • The Duffield Office has been available for a limited number of employees to work onsite since its opening in January. More spaces will soon be available. If you would like to work onsite, please contact your manager. Proof of vaccination must be provided to your manager prior to entering the office. Unvaccinated team members must provide a negative COVID-19 test result, complete daily screenings, wear a face mask, and social distance.

 

India Office in Telangana Remains Closed

The office in Hyderabad is currently closed in compliance with the lockdown resulting from widespread cases of COVID-19. Team members may continue remote work.

Our management team in India is partnering with corporate hospitals in Hyderabad to vaccinate our employees and their dependents for those who meet current vaccinations criteria defined by the government of Telangana (people ages 45 plus). When the 18 to 44 age group opens, we plan to vaccinate employees and their families either at the hospital or on company premises. Our administrators and India HR department will reach out soon to plan these vaccination sessions.

In the meantime, please take precautions to protect yourself and others from the surge of cases resulting from new strains of the virus.

  • Do not go out unless for essential shopping or medical care. Avoid unnecessary travel.
  • Wear a face mask covering your nose and mouth when leaving the house. Not wearing a mask is punishable by fine.
  • Maintain a distance between people of more than 6 feet.
  • If symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, running nose, difficulty breathing, body pains and headache develop, report to the nearest government health facility without delay.

If you would like to post or read messages of support on our Caring Together comment page, visit https://ehealthtechnologies.info/uncategorized/share-your-support-for-team-members-in-india/ (password: eHealth@home).

 

VACCINE INFORMATION

Vaccines are now widely available in the U.S. at most pharmacies, such as CVS, Walgreen’s and Walmart, and at several state-sponsored locations. In India, availability is broadening.

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to your manager, Human Resources, or any member of the leadership team.