Goldman Sachs and EY quarantining staff returning from China

Goldman Sachs and Standard Chartered have told London-based staff returning from China to stay at home as the City fights to prevent a coronavirus outbreak. 

Goldman is one of several banks and professional services companies understood to have told staff to “self-isolate” and work from home for up to 14 days after returning from the worst-affected regions, including China and Hong Kong.

Standard Chartered – which is based in London but earns its money in Asia and the Middle East – has instructed workers living with anyone who has recently returned from mainland China to stay away from the office.

Many companies, including consultant EY, have restricted or banned staff outright from travelling for business to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.  Some have also banned employees who have been to the mainland from visiting clients.

A spokesman for Aviva said the FTSE 100 insurer has suspended travel to high-risk locations and upgraded its systems so more staff can work from home.

Standard Chartered’s travel ban has been extended to include South Korea. The bank has also restricted travel to Singapore, Britain, Dubai, and its service centres in India, Malaysia and Poland. 

An EY spokesman said staff who have had to travel to or from affected regions are being asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. Travel restrictions mean this should only affect a small number of employees. 

Firms, which said they were following relevant advice from the World Health Organisation and public authorities, have also stepped up disinfecting and deep cleaning in offices. Hand sanitisers have been made available in buildings across the City and Canary Wharf.