The Financial Times is deep cleaning its offices in central London after an employee showed coronavirus (Covid-19) symptoms.
Elsewhere in the UK, newsrooms are preparing to work from home and have banned all but essential travel in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
A message to staff yesterday revealed an FT employee who visited its Bracken House office for a few days last week had since “developed symptoms of illness”, one of which is associated with coronavirus.
According to the NHS, symptoms of coronavirus include a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath.
The FT staffer is now self-isolating “due to their recent travel history” and arranging to be tested for Covid-19, although this may prove negative.
Press Gazette understands the floor of the building at Bracken House (pictured) which is being deep cleaned today does not have journalists working on it.
So far there are 382 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, with eight deaths connected to it.
Desks at Northcliffe House, home to the Daily Mail, Metro, Independent and Evening Standard titles, have been deep cleaned in recent weeks. Staff have also been advised against all but essential travel.
The Telegraph has told staff they can now work from home if they want to, with the newsdesk set to work from home on alternate days.
The decision has been taken “in anticipation of the virus getting worse” according to an email to staff.
However those running live blogs will still need to go into the office.
A Telegraph Media spokesperson said: “Like all companies, we are taking steps to safeguard the well-being of staff and minimise disruption to our business. We are reviewing business continuity measures.”
Staff at Sky News, the Independent and magazine titles Vogue and Wired are among those testing remote working capabilities this week.
The dry runs will test technology systems to ensure operations can continue away from the office in the event that everyone has to work from home.
Sky has shut down a contact centre in Cardiff after a staff member was diagnosed with Covid-19. The centre is being deep cleaned before re-opening tomorrow.
Staff at Sky’s Osterley campus in west London have been told to work from home tomorrow, although it is not expected to affect broadcasting output.
Picture: FT
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