Insurer says it is taking the prudent approach 

Aviva has taken a protective approach to staff amid concerns over Coronavirus. 

The insurer has put a halt to business travel to high-risk locations and restricted all other staff work trips.

Even partners of staff who have visited high risk areas have been told to self-isolate and work from home.

The strict approach came after an Aviva worker was told she would need to quarantine herself and work from home for two weeks if her husband went to Rome next month to watch Italy v England rugby.

According to the Eastern Daily Press, a close friend of the employee, who did not want to be named, said: “Apparently his wife has been told that the official Aviva instruction is that if he does this, then she will have to take two weeks off on his return.”

An Aviva spokeswoman in Norwich said: “As the situation is evolving rapidly we are taking a prudent approach, hence the advice to self-isolate and work from home for employees who are close contacts of people who have travelled. Our focus is on the safety and wellbeing of our people and customers.

“We have suspended international business travel to and from high-risk locations and restricted all other business travel. We have given clear guidance to our employees who have been travelling to countries classified as high-risk by WHO, the World Health Organisation, to inform their managers and if they show symptoms or feel unwell on their return that they should contact the NHS and work from home for 14 days.”