Amid a rapidly evolving worldwide response to the COVID-19 coronavirus, Communitech, like many companies in Waterloo Region, Thursday unveiled a number of aggressive steps designed to help contain the spread of the disease.

The decision trailed the identification of two additional positive COVID-19 cases in Waterloo Region Thursday , bringing the region’s total to three. The day before, Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared the virus a pandemic and the day before that Communitech cancelled its signature True North Festival, which was slated for early June.

“Events are moving very quickly and it’s important we respond with prudent and abundant caution in order to keep everyone safe and do our part to help prevent further spread of the virus,” said Communitech CEO and President Iain Klugman.

“This region has a long history of pitching in to help when the need arises and in that spirit, we’re taking a number of important steps.”

To that end, Communitech made several announcements Thursday:

  • The Communitech Hub in Kitchener and Communitech Data Hub in Waterloo will remain open for the time being, though all public tours have been cancelled for 90 days through to June 10, 2020.
  • All in-person events, workshops and peer group meet-ups scheduled to take place at both hubs have been suspended. The company is working with all affected groups in this regard to move as much of this content as possible to virtual formats.
  • Fixed hand-sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the main floor of Communitech Hub at 151 Charles St., W., in Kitchener. Sanitizer is available throughout both hub locations.
  • Travel to any country for which travel health notices have been issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada and/or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has been suspended. This includes, and may not be limited to, Iran, Hong Kong, China, Italy, South Korea, Japan and Singapore. Travel has also been suspended to the broader Asia-Pacific region and Europe.
  • All other travel within Canada and the United States has been restricted to essential business and may require a 14-day self-quarantine afterward, depending on advice from Waterloo Region Public Health.
  • Employees are free to work from home and on March 19 all Communitech employees will work from home as a “test-drive” in the event doing so becomes mandatory in the days and weeks ahead.

The steps are in keeping with decisions made by a growing number of the region’s technology companies. Among them:

  • Shopify employees will begin working from home next week. Employees are being granted $1,000 to equip their homes for work.
  • Google is recommending that employees work from home, although offices will remain open.
  • ApplyBoard, as of Thursday, has decided to have all of its Canadian  employees work from home and has restricted business travel.
  • Likewise, Vidyard announced a trial remote-work plan Thursday in order to ensure staff are equipped in the event doing so for a longer period becomes necessary.
  • Terminal began a work-from-home policy two weeks ago.
  • Zeitspace is guiding its employees to work from home and to take additional precautions.

“Together with our customers and stakeholders and public health partners, we can make a difference,” said Klugman. “The key is to act before the virus has an opportunity to take hold widely and to prevent our healthcare system from becoming over-tasked.”

Communitech News readers interested in additional information and guidance about the virus should visit Health Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care or the Waterloo Region Public Health and Emergency Services. The Globe and Mail’s Andre Picard, meanwhile, has provided readers with a helpful virus FAQ which is being continuously updated.