ESF COVID-19 STATEMENT
ESF is deeply integrated into the wider community in Southern Honduras; we employ over 1000 people who live locally, and working closely with many more in our partner farms and
supporting businesses. Our internationally recognized certifications support our
mission of quality and safety for our products, people and environment.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic we have continuously invested in a range of additional measures
to ensure, the safety of our people and products and our continued ability to provide our
customers the highest levels of uninterrupted service.
Health & Wellness
- Restricting access to facilities to essential personnel
- Conducting random, routine surveillance testing of asymptomatic team members
- Health screenings and Temperature testing all team members prior to entering facilities,
including thermal imaging testing technology,
- Providing extra personal protective equipment (PPE), including protective masks, which are
required to be worn at all times
- Redesigning our production areas, break-rooms and lockers etc to ensure social distancing
for all staff
- Increasing spacing in cafeterias, break and locker rooms, including dividers in common areas
and on the production floor
- Promoting physical distancing by staggering starts, shifts and breaks
- Enabling social distancing on company transport such as buses
- Hiring staff to assist with education, training and enforcement of COVID-19 preventive
Measures
Personnel Support
- Removing vulnerable populations from our facilities, offering full pay and benefits
- Covering 100% of COVID-19 health expenses for team members and their dependents
including supply of medicines and access to company doctors
- Requiring sick team members to stay home from work with full pay
- Educating and encouraging team members to practice social distancing at home and in the
community outside of work
- Implementing flexible work-from-home practices where possible
Sanitization
- Increasing sanitation, including whole facility deep-cleaning
- Hiring dedicated staff whose only job is to continuously clean all plants areas
- Sanitizing trucks, storage and all outer cases upon departure
OVERVIEW COVID-19
The World Health Organization (WHO) define Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads.
PREVETION
To prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do the following:
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Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
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Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when you go out in public
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Maintain at least 1 metre distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
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Avoid touching your face.
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Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
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Stay home if you feel unwell.
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Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.
SYNTOMPS
COVID-19 symptoms include cough, fever or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, headache, new fatigue, nausea or vomiting and congestion or runny nose. COVID-19 can be severe, and some cases have caused death.
What to do if I feel unwell:
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Know the full range of symptoms of COVID-19.
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Stay home and self-isolate even if you have minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever. Call your health care provider or hotline for advice.
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If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately. Call by telephone first, if you can and follow the directions of your local health authority.
Stay informed of the latest news and updates in the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Be safe and Learn about about COVID-19
OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19
DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES OF CORONAVIRUS, ESF SEAFOOD TOP PRIORITY IS TO SAFEGUARD AND PROTECT THE SAFETY OF OUR PRODUCTS, CARE OF OUR EMPLOYEES, THEIR FAMILIES, OUR CUSTOMERS AND SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES.
Since the start of the pandemic, ESF has set up all biosecurity protocols, increasing health measures, provided full medical care and performing periodically Covid-19 test on 100% of our workforce, to guarantee the health of our employees and the safety of the products we process.
In partnership, with our workforces and local health experts, we are continually working in our safety protocols and mobilizing substantial local relief efforts in the communities where we operate.
Therefore, everything we do is guided by 3 core principles:
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Keeping our employees healthy, safe and supported
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Safety in Production and Facilities
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Supporting Communities / Helping with local relief efforts
SAFETY IN PRODUCTION AND FACILITIES
As a company, we closely followed guidance from global health authorities to protect the health and safety of our employees across production facilities and offices.
In addition to our normal strict hygiene standards, we have put additional protocols and safety measures in place.
This includes protecting our workplaces through a reinforcement of our biosecurity program, on-site medical assistance, testing strategy, temperature scans, shift rotations, queueing avoidance, social and physical distancing and providing face masks for all of our `employees.
We are also running an awareness campaign and encouraging all employees to make wise and appropriate decisions, to report suspicious symptoms or cases, as well as to stay home if they feel unwell or have pre-existing medical conditions.
We have informed all our employees of the guarantee of maintaining their work and salary by offering sick leave arrangements and a full health assistance for those who contract the virus.
If you want to know more about our COVID-19 prevention protocols, download the following file:
SAFETY IN PRODUCTION AND FACILITIES
Our production facilities have continued to operate but have adjusted their practices and ways of working to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.
The safety and quality of our products is one of our top priorities for us, and we can say with confidence that our products are safe.
Since COVID-19 outbreak began, we’re constantly evaluating and implemented additional sanitization routines, surface disinfection and cleaning frequency in all areas, that international certifications and health authority standards, which has allowed us minimize disruption to our supply chain and processing facilities.
Also as part of our efforts and in the fight against COVID-19 we have developed several campaigns and initiatives focused on the prevention, protection and well-being of all our employees and collaborators.
SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES
ESF is making contributions to support local relief efforts in the communities we operate.
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Providing financial support to local medical institutions and relief organizations in the frontline of the fight against this pandemic.
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Donating personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies to our employees and families.
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Donating medical treatments, supplies and medical equipment to local health care center during the outbreak phase.
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Providing prompt and pragmatic support to our collaborators and business partners.
We will continue re-evaluating and refining our ways of working, adjust our approach and response to ensure the health and safety of our products, employees and communities where we operate in during this challenging time.
AND AS WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF THIS PANDEMIC, ESF WILL CONTINUE TO BE HERE TO HELP…
Some of Our Actions includes:
 Donation of High Flow Oxygen Mask, and Medical Equipment to Social Security Institute |  Donation of X-ray Machine to the Municipal Clinic ''Adulto Mayor" |  Donation of Oxygen Pressure Gauges and Biosafety Material to the South Regional Hospital |
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 Free medical attention, COVID testing and delivery of BioSecurity Material to Support Groups and Aid Corps that are facing the emergency during the pandemic. |  Help to improve the Infrastructure of the Medical Consultation Area in the Regional Office of Social Security in Choluteca |  Donation of Medicines and Treatments for the fight against COVID to the Choluteca Health Region Office. |
CRISIS AND RESPONSE TEAM
ESF created a Crisis Management Committee against Coronavirus (COVID-19) presided over by the general manager, production team and the company medical department.
This committee is in daily communication and meet weekly to review and ensure we are following all protocols and global standards to keep our business running, our employees safe, our product safety and best ways of working to serve the communities we operate in during this challenging time.
We have also strengthened our medical staff and now there are 2 doctors and 4 professional nurses who are always attentive to provide support and assistance.
Additionally, new medical equipment has been purchased and the areas of our medical offices have been expanded in order to provide a better service to our employees and their families.