If an attendee gets COVID during a meeting, or shows symptoms such as fever of shortness of breath, it’s better that your team identifies the problem before your other attendees do.
Desi Whitney is president and co-founder of Emergency Concierge International, which provides “boots on the ground” to assist planners. Following is advice from her company’s contingency plan outlining what to do if an attendee gets COVID during a meeting.
Here are suggested protocols if an attendee shows symptoms:
• Provide the attendee a surgical/exam mask to put on themselves.
• Ensure any staff interacting with the attendee are wearing appropriate
personal protective equipment (N95 mask, medical exam gloves, eye
protection and medical gown (if available).
• Relocate the attendee to an isolated location preferably one that can easily be
decontaminated.
• Minimize the number of staff/attendees that come into contact with
the attendee.
• If the attendee wants to be transported to the hospital, immediately notify emergency medical services and advise them of potential exposure risk.
• Follow local emergency medical service direction regarding further isolation, decontamination and any other necessary steps.
• Remain in full personal protective equipment until the area has been decontaminated. Also decontaminate the area where the attendee was evaluated.
• Remove and dispose of all personal protective equipment.
• If the attendee does not want to be transported to the hospital, remember that you can not force someone to go to the hospital. You may, however, have the ability to exclude the attendee from your event, thus decreasing exposure to other attendees. (Consult your legal counsel).
• Have the attendee avoid other attendees for the duration of their time at the venue.
• And remember, your personal safety is always the Number 1 Priority!
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