To ensure the safe continuation of its operations, the company is testing all drivers returning from holiday, is establishing mandatory self-isolation for those arriving to work from other countries and is temporarily suspending the arrival of individuals to the company from the Republic of Uzbekistan.
All drivers who are coming to the company for a new job are set a 14-day period of self-isolation. Arriving individuals are advised to also perform a test in their country of origin if possible. They must inform the company’s representatives of any health problems that occur during the trip. A coronavirus test is performed at the start and end of the isolation period. Also, all drivers currently working in the company and looking to return to work after their holidays are tested.
Hegelmann Transporte has also leased extra premises for the isolation period which conform with all requirements. Only after ensuring that the individuals can safely study or work will they be transferred to the staff hotel.
“Facing the spread of imported COVID-19 cases, we have directed all our efforts to protect our staff and the public. We wish to ensure that all our staff working in Lithuania and individuals in contact with them can feel safe. We promptly renewed and supplemented the applicable safety measures. The situation was quickly localised and the company’s operations are stable. For cargo transportation and logistics companies, it is essential to continue operating without interruption so that products can reach our customers in time and later on – the end-users,” Tomas Jurgelevičius, Hegelmann Transporte general manager, says.
According to T. Jurgelevičius, the Kaunas-based company operates branches located in three different locations. “The imported COVID-19 cases were related to one branch of the transport department which is located on Pramonė Avenue. For these reasons we suspended the drivers’ hostels. Contact persons were traced and we directed the entire team working in this unit to conduct urgent testing for maximum security.
The people working in this department have experienced additional emotional difficulties and so we are also contributing by organising psychological consultations,” he states.
The other branches of the company which mostly undertake managerial functions continue to deploy preventative measures – drivers are supplied with the required protective equipment, surfaces are regularly disinfected, other necessary steps are also taken. During this period the National Public Health Centre also organised lectures on health and safety issues at the Pramonė Avenue branch.
“Logistics is among the sectors which face massive challenges during the pandemic. From its start, we implemented and deployed safety measures. So of course, the cases which we found raised a great deal of concern. This is why, in consultation with responsible institutions, we urgently looked for new additional measures and any changes which we could implement. Being a major employer, we also experienced public concern – we value it and wish to give assurance that the situation is localised through our full efforts. With the threat of the coronavirus lingering in Europe and around the world, we are monitoring the situation and are prepared to implement new measures to increase safety,” T. Jurgelevičius explains.
Hegelmann Group has been operating since 1998, with Hegelmann Transporte beginning operations in Lithuania in 2004. The company currently has 1,838 staff.
