TRG COVID-19 HUB

To slow the transmission of COVID-19 and to prevent yourself from getting infected, the World Health Organisation (WHO) advises to do the following:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean your hands using alcohol-based sanitizers.
• Keep at least 1-metre distance away from people that cough or sneeze.
• Cover your mouth with a flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid unnecessary travel, group gatherings, and practice social distancing as soon as possible.

The right way to handwashing

Washing your hands with soap and water can greatly reduce the spread of germs and infectious diseases, thus, protecting yourself and your family.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should wash your hands:

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating
• Before and after taking care of sick people
• After using the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching your pets or handling their foods
• After touching the garbage

If you do not have access to soap and clean water, then you can clean your hands with hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. However, hand sanitizers may not be effective as they cannot get rid of all types of germs.

Furthermore, it is also unnecessary to purchase soaps that are labelled "antibacterial" in your local supermarkets. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is not enough evidence proving they are more beneficial in preventing germs and bacteria. Therefore, just washing your hands regularly with plain soap and water and practicing social distancing is the best possible resolution amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Should you wear a facemask even if you are healthy?

If you read guidelines on WHO or CDC's website, there is yet to be any recommendation on universal facemask wearing.

This statement, however, is under review in recent weeks as more and more studies and experts raise their voice to back up the use of masks in public.

While Western officials are still hesitating, many Asian countries that experienced a tremendous surge of cases, namely Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, are starting to show signs of slowing down. The slowing down is partly due to people at these countries are used to wearing facemasks in public.

In an interview with NPR, Scott Gottlieb, former FDA Commissioner, commented: "Face masks will be most effective at slowing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 if they are widely used, because they may help prevent people who are asymptomatically infected from transmitting the disease unknowingly."

Though there is yet to be a confident yes that facemasks can be greatly beneficial, they do provide a little protection. Today, a little help is better than no help at all.

Speaking to CNN, Ivan Hung, an infectious diseases specialist at the Hong Kong University School of Medicine, said that "if you look at the data in Hong Kong, wearing a mask is probably the most important thing in terms of infection control. And it not only brings down the cases of coronaviruses, but it also brings down the influenza."

One major issue, though, is signifciant mask shortages for first responders and medical workers. If it becomes mandatory for the general public to wear facemasks, what do we need to do to reserve N95 and surgical masks for those that need them most?

Many have turned to reusable facemasks. To back up this trend, the internet recently has been suggesting videos after videos of DIY masks made from T-shirts and scrap fabric. Even shawls, scarves, bandanas, or anything that can cover up the mouth and nose areas are also utilised.

Learn more: What you should know about DIY masks and ventilators, National Geographic

Certainly, mask-wearing should be practised together with proper handwashing regime, physical distancing and other measures to mitigate the pandemic. What the world needs right now is updated instructions on whether we can make these masks at home and how to wear them properly from the higher authorities.

The following are advice from the CDC for individuals who are sick with COVID-19 or think they might have been infected. To ensure a safe environment for your family and the community, please closely follow the steps below and seek immediate medical attention when possible.

Self-isolation at home

• If you are experiencing mild symptoms, you are able to recover at home. Do not leave your home, separate yourself from others in your home to minimise contact (this includes a separate bathroom, trash bins, utensils, etc. if applicable).
• Limit contact with pets. Although there have not been reports of cases transmitted from humans to pets and vice versa, it is best to ask someone else to take care of your pet during this time.
• Contact your doctor or a medical clinic and let them know of your situation before visiting. 
• Wear a facemask when you are around other people, when in public, or when entering a medical centre.
• Practice regular and proper personal hygiene and household cleaning to minimise the risk of cross-contamination.

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The world has become increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA). On top of that, we have the COVID-19 pandemic, which is neither expected nor resolvable. 

During this turbulent time, there is still a window of opportunity for businesses to accelerate their digital transformation initiatives and "bring socio-economic activities online," exclaimed Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Minister of Information and Communications.

Many retail businesses have employed different strategies to adapt to the new normal, such as implement cashless payment for all services, faster deliveries, offer a wider range of products online, etc.

Vietnamese Government also encourages enterprises in Vietnam to digitally transform. Mr. Hung commented that the Government is currently considering policies for "mobile payment, certification for online learning, banning outdated technology imports, promoting the production of low-priced smartphones, and e-Government."

One undeniable fact is this pandemic is changing the way every business operates. With travel restrictions, social event cancellations, and social distancing measures, we have to opt for a more agile and virtual method to connect with our inner circles as well as the world.

Cloud services have been available for years and have proven its scalability, availability, and security. Cloud-based applications are the solution to this VUCA world.

Thanks to cloud technologies that we have web-based business applications, file storing and sharing services, social collaboration tools, Virtual Private Network (VPN) and many other great innovations.

Many of you already utilise TRG's fully managed cloud services which enable you to operate from anywhere. To learn more about these cloud services and our digital advisory services please visit our website or contact your local account team.

1. Will my cloud services be impacted?

No - We do not expect any disruption of our services due to COVID-19. We designed the cloud services with a high degree of resiliency across multiple data centres in separate geographical locations.

2. Do you anticipate any disruption to my support service levels at this time?

No - We do not expect any disruption of our support service levels due to COVID-19. We designed our support to operate 100% virtually from multiple countries for resiliency. 

3. Will my services for ongoing projects be impacted?

No - We do not expect any disruption of our services due to COVID-19. We are able to deliver our services 100% virtually. Our Project and Account Managers will work with you to identify and mitigate any risks.

4. Will TRG travel on-site to my offices?

Just like you, we all want to remain safe during this time. As such we are exercising social distancing and have suspended all international travel and have highly restricted domestic travel. We follow both country-specific and customer-specific travel advisories/ policies. We can deliver 100% virtually as required.

Should you have any questions, please contact TRGHelp@TRGInternational.com or your local account team.

Should I cancel or postpone my trip overseas?

All nonessential travel to CDC's list of Warning Level 3 destinations should be avoided.

Travel to Level 2 destinations are acceptable with extra precautionary measures. Senior citizens and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions are advised to avoid nonessential travel.

Travel to Level 1 destinations are acceptable, but it is critical to practice preventative measures to prevent spreading and transmitting the disease.

What about international layovers?

Layovers at airports in countries with a level 3 travel health notice also face a high risk of being infected, and therefore, should be avoided.

If a layover is unavoidable, do not attempt to leave the airport. You might be subjected to screening and testing upon arrival at your destination.

If I travel on an aeroplane, will I be infected with COVID-19?

According to the CDC, the risk of infection on an aeroplane is fairly low due to how it is designed to circulate and filter air.

Nevertheless, do take precautionary measures such as wash your hands properly, avoid contacting people who are visibly sick, avoid touching high-risk surfaces. More preventative methods can be found in the section "How to prevent COVID-19 infection" above.

There might be a chance you are travelling with a sick passenger, who is considered to be a public health risk, you might be subjected to screening at your destinations.

For more travelling FAQs during the time of COVID-19, including cruise ship travelling and returning from a level 3 travel health notice destination, please visit CDC's Travel Advice page.

Which countries are flattening the curve?

Credit: Visual Capitalist

As of 18:00, 24 Mar 2020, HCMC authorities have ordered the closure of all restaurants (including eateries, cafes and similar venues) with a capacity of 30 seats and above, gyms, beauty salons and other similar facilities. The closure is expected to be until 31 Mar 2020. Previously, entertainment facilities such as cinemas, karaoke bars, massage parlours, bars and clubs, gaming centres were ordered to shut down since 15 Mar.

All international flights into Tan Son Nhat International Airport have been suspended, including flights carrying Vietnamese citizens, from 25 Mar to 31 Mar 2020. All travellers entered Vietnam prior to this date were automatically quarantined at collective camps for 14 days.

Only Vietnamese and foreign diplomats and officials are allowed to enter Vietnam. All entrants are required to fill out health declaration forms and are subjected to 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered all international flights into Vietnam to be suspended, though the specific timeframe is yet to be given.

The Ministry of Health has advised all travellers entering Vietnam from 1 Mar to self-isolate for 14 days if they have not been quarantined.

Vietnam railway has suspended several domestic routes from Hanoi and HCMC from 16 Mar 2020. Passengers taking trains, long-haul buses, tourist boats, and domestic flights are also required to fill out health declaration forms.

TRG will try our best to update this list as frequent as possible and to include more countries.