Covid-19 updates | artbound-initiative

UPDATES

ABI Update - March 23, 2020 (For our current participants)

In light of the current situation regarding COVID-19, companies are starting to work remotely in order to #FlattenTheCurve and prevent the virus from spreading even further.

Whether you will be returning home or staying in town, you will most likely have to adapt and learn how to best work remotely. We are aware that working from home for an uncertain period of time can be challenging but we are here to support you in these difficult times.

We are putting together resources to help you continue to be productive and efficient in your team during your Work From Home (WFH).

- We have updated our Work From Home (WFH) guide to highlight best practices & tools: Please review it carefully here.

- Check out a short video below from our Communications Coordinator Alexa on how she's working from home for ArtBound Initiative.

We are here to help if you have any questions!

Warm regards and best wishes,

The ArtBound Initiative Team

ABI Update - March 18, 2020 (For Australian participants)

The current global developments relating to COVID-19 are rapidly changing, and each day brings new information that may affect our participants. Restrictions on movement and activities are continuing to increase around the world in a continued effort to curb the further spread of COVID-19.

As of Today, March 18 2020, the Australian government has raised their travel advisory to level 4 of 4 (highest level), advising all Australians to not travel overseas. See below:

"As more countries close their borders or introduce travel restrictions, overseas travel is becoming more complex and difficult. You may not be able to return to Australia when you had planned to. If you decide to return to Australia, do so as soon as possible. Commercial options may become less available. The Australian government has also advised for all Australians coming back home to self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days. You can click here to find a self-isolation guide you should follow during the two week period.

If you are overseas and cannot, or do not want to, return to Australia, follow the advice of local authorities. Take care to minimize your risk of exposure to coronavirus including by self-isolating."

ABI continues to be in frequent contact with our participants and their families, particularly those who are struggling to make arrangements to return home. We are committed to the safety of our participants and are here to fully support whenever possible.

What are the next steps to arrange my return?

Contact ABI immediately and get on a call to inform of your decision.
ABI will contact your internship supervisor and explain that the Australian government has advised all overseas citizens to return home as soon as possible. We also advise you to be in touch with your supervisor to let them know.
Contact your airline or your travel agent to modify your return flight or book a new flight as soon as you are able to.
Once you have booked a flight, please let us know of your flight details.
ABI will contact your housing provider with your updated move out date. Please note that is unlikely that the housing partner will offer a refund for the remaining rent.

What if I'm having issues to book a flight?

We are aware that it may be difficult to get out on a flight and we are here to help.

It is important to take action as soon as possible. Airlines and travel agents would be experiencing a high volume of calls. We advise for you to book a flight or make changes online to expedite the process.
We recommend you to book new flights directly with airlines instead of with third-party partners such as Expedia.
Ask your airlines if they are offering an updated flight change policy - some airlines waive extra fees and charges for flight changes, particularly for travel to and/or from regions affected by COVID-19.

What are the general safety tips while traveling?

Always wash your hands with soap and water after being in contact with commonly-touched surfaces, especially before and after eating. Refrain from touching your face.
Bring a small bottle of alcohol-based sanitizer if you are unable to seek running water and soap.
If possible, sanitize your tray, arm rests and seatbelt with an alcohol wipe.
Use your elbow or a tissue to cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Maintain a safe distance of 1 meter from other people.

What if I do not wish to go back to Australia?

At this point, ABI cannot advise you not to follow government recommendations. If you wish not to return back to Australia, please consider whether you have access to healthcare and support systems if you get sick while overseas. In the case that you decide not to return as recommended, we will require you to sign a release form releasing ABI of any liability or responsibility. If you take this option, ABI will continue to provide the program services to the best of our ability for the duration of your internship.

Please know that we continue to monitor all new developments relating to COVID-19 and will keep you updated.

If you have any questions or would like to chat further, feel free to contact us.

Warm regards and best wishes.

ABI Update - March 17, 2020

We understand that the current situation regarding COVID-19 is presenting challenges and complications for all of you. You may be planning in various ways how to handle this situation, including how to work-from-home and how to continue being productive in your team despite these complications.

We’re here to contribute and help in any way possible. For starters, we’ve compiled a guide of work-from-home best-practices which should help you get in the right mind set and be as efficient as possible.

If some of you are not able to work remotely due to the nature of your internship, this next couple of weeks might be a great occasion to:

work on personal projects
update your portfolio or showreel
update your resume with your current internship
conduct research of companies you would like to target after this internship
perfect a specific skill by attending an online course or workshop

Due to the current situation, we will be cancelling all ABI events until further notice and highly recommend you to practice social distancing for the next couple of weeks.

If you are feeling sick, or think you may have symptoms of COVID-19, please do the following:

Contact your HR manager or the appropriate point person.
Contact your ABI on-site program coordinator.
Refer to the CDC COVID-19 Safety Guidelines and follow the appropriate medical steps or contact a helpline.

If you have any questions or would like to chat further, feel free to contact us.

Stay safe!

Warm regards and best wishes,

The ArtBound Initiative Team

ABI Update - March 15, 2020

As the spread of COVID-19 continues worldwide, each day brings new information that may affect our participants. We would like to assure you all that during these rapidly changing times, ABI continues to closely monitor the recommendations and guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. State Department and local governments in the countries where ABI is operating programs.

The safety and wellbeing of our participants will always be our first priority and we continue to make decisions with this commitment as our guide.

What measures is ABI taking?

Monitoring closely the updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. State Department and local governments in the countries where ABI is operating programs.
We will purchase your insurance and book your housing no more than 30 days prior to your start date as we continue to monitor the situation.
We are regularly talking with host companies to get updates from them and will keep you informed accordingly.

What measures should our participants be taking?

Monitoring closely the updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. State Department.
Make sure that flights are booked with the ability to be changed or cancelled or make sure to book your flights once everything is confirmed.

What if my program gets suspended because of my host company, a travel restriction or a CDC/US. State Government decision?

We will schedule a call, we're here to find a solution for you.
We will work with you to make sure that you are still guaranteed an internship at a later term for no additional fees. This does need include third party payments already made such as visa, insurance and housing.
If you've already been accepted with a host company, we'll do our best to get them to push the internship to a later date.

What if I want to cancel my program even if there is no travel restriction or a CDC or US. State Government decision?

Please see our cancellation and postponement policies below.

Postponement & Cancellation Policies Specific to COVID-19

Your internship will remain “active” unless either of the following situations occur:
1. The host company cancels the internship due to COVID-19 and your program start date is in 30 days or less.
2. An elevation in the CDC and the U.S. State Department advisory to a level 3 (“avoid non-essential travel” recommendation) or above for the destination country and your program start date is in 30 days or less.
If your internship is inactive for the above reasons, you will have the option to either:
1. Postpone your internship start date to another term, with no additional placement fees. Please note housing, visa and insurance fees already paid are non-refundable as these are with third-parties.
2. If you wish to cancel the internship, we will reimburse 50% of the total program fee. Please note housing, visa and insurance fees already paid are non-refundable as these are with third-parties.
If your internship is still active, and you wish not to participate you have the option to either:
1. Postpone your internship start date to another term. If the host company does not agree to postpone as well, there will be an additional US $750 placement fee to find you a new internship placement.
2. Cancel the internship, following our standard cancellation policy (see below).

Standard Cancellation Policy

Please see our full cancellation policy here https://www.artboundinitiative.com/terms-and-conditions

Here are the main cancellation guidelines:

The initial 25% deposit is non refundable.
Payments which have already been made for the insurance, visa, or housing are non refundable as these are with third parties.
If you’ve paid 100% of the program fee and cancel at least 60 days prior to your internship start date, you will be entitled to a 50% refund of the program fee.
If you’ve paid 100% of the program fee and cancel less than 60 days prior to your internship start date, you will not be entitled to any refund.

At this time, we suggest you to keep monitoring as well the situation and please let us know if you have been directly affected for your placement. We know these uncertain times are difficult for everyone. We are doing everything in our control to protect our participants' experiences abroad while maintaining our commitment to always making decisions in the best interest of the safety of our participants.

Stay safe!

Warm regards and best wishes,

The ArtBound Initiative Team

ABI Update - March 11, 2020

ArtBound Initiative is well aware of the current condition on the coronavirus spread globally, and puts high priority on the health and safety of all our participants. Therefore, we would like to encourage for you to go about normally, with extra safety precautions, as described below by the World Health Organization.

1. What is the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its symptoms?

The COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness and dry cough. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.

2. What can you do protect yourself and prevent the spread of disease?

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Always wash your hands after being in contact with items or commonly touched surfaces that might be exposed to others' uses.
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. If possible, avoid traveling to high-traffic places.
Avoid touching your face, especially the eyes, nose and mouth.
Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the used tissue immediately.
If you feel unwell, let your supervisor know and stay home. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call your healthcare in advance.
Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely).
Consider limiting personal travel. We strongly urge you to let us know if you are planning to fly or travel long distance.
Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.

These habits are good to do to remain healthy at all times, so we encourage you and everyone around you to start doing them.

We recognize the uncertainty this global health issue is creating and are committed to keep you informed and up to date as this situation evolves. We are grateful to all of you for your commitment to the wellbeing of the ABI community and your experiences. Thank you.

Stay safe!

Warm regards and best wishes,

The ArtBound Initiative Team

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