KARACHI: An employee of Engro Corporation has tested positive for Covid-19, also known as the novel coronavirus.
According to an internal memo issued by the company’s human resources, Engro Corporation was informed on Tuesday that an employee who worked on the eighth floor of the Harbour Front Building in Karachi has tested positive.
All Engro offices at the Harbour Front Building will remain closed over the next three days as a precautionary measure.
The employee was in the office at the Harbour Front Building for only a few hours on Friday, March 8.
According to a company spokesperson, the employee left of his own accord after a few hours.
It is not clear if the patient is in self-quarantine at home, or admitted to a hospital, the spokesperson said.
“These circumstances, based on medical advice from our doctor and consultation with relevant experts do not warrant office closure and call for self-monitoring alongside necessary hygiene practices,” according to a company notice.
All Engro employees will work from home during the next three days. Business will resume on Monday, March 16, and returning employees will be screened for symptoms as a precaution.
Meanwhile, during the office closure, Engro will ensure complete disinfection across all its floors on the Harbour Front Building.
“One of Pakistan’s leading infectious diseases specialists has indicated that exposure to the infected person of more than 15 minutes and a distance of more than 15 minutes and at a distance of less than one meter may make one susceptible to contracting the virus.” the notice explained.
The company also said that all employees should monitor their health over the next two weeks and should, and consult their doctors for any flu-like symptoms.
Engro’s Karachi office is located at Harbour Front Building, a 17-storey building sitting atop one of Karachi’s largest malls, Dolmen Mall.
It has an area of over 246,000 square feet of office space, and houses other corporations such as Procter & Gamble, Phillip Morris and Byco.
