ATLANTA, March 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the impacts of
the new coronavirus (COVID-19) grow, Southern Company Gas and its
local distribution companies Atlanta Gas Light, Chattanooga Gas,
Nicor Gas and Virginia Natural Gas are reassuring customers they
have comprehensive plans and processes in place to address the
implications of the outbreak while maintaining safe, affordable,
reliable service.
"Our primary concern continues to be the safety and wellbeing of
our employees, customers and communities. As part of our regular
emergency preparedness protocol, we began monitoring the potential
threat posed by the coronavirus in January," said Kim Greene, Southern Company Gas chairman,
president and CEO. "Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, as well as other health officials and the
Southern Company Medical Directors, this week we began utilizing
technology to enable most of our 4,400 employees to work from home
– mitigating exposure to peers while sustaining workflow."
"As a business responsible for critical infrastructure, we are
committed to sustaining business operations and continuing to serve
customers during this challenging time," Greene continued. "While
it is deeply concerning to watch this pandemic unfold, we were
prepared and we will continue to work with local, state and federal
officials as we respond."
Southern Company Gas's business continuity and pandemic plans
are designed to ensure public safety and continued operations
through unforeseen challenges by readying critical personnel and
facilities. In this case, the company is taking additional
precautions to protect customers and employees alike when work is
required in local businesses and residences.
Proactive actions have been taken to both prevent the spread of
the illness and protect the safety and health of employees,
customers, contractors and vendors. These actions include:
- Directing field service representatives who need to enter
customers' homes and businesses to provide service to follow social
distancing guidelines and wear protective equipment, when
necessary
- Implementing telecommuting for those who can perform their
duties remotely
- Utilizing technology to avoid non-essential group settings
- Increasing cleaning frequency at company locations and
aggressively sanitizing work areas
- Cancelling facility tours and external meetings
- Limiting guests to business-critical visitations
- Cancelling all non-essential domestic and international
business travel
- Asking employees to self-identify, if they have or plan to
travel internationally
The company has regularly provided information and updates on
the virus to employees, including prevention recommendations from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is following
the latest developments and updates from public health officials
and medical professionals.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO),
America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves
approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its
regulated distribution companies in four states with approximately
700,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural
gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate
pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and
ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more
information, visit southerncompanygas.com.
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SOURCE Southern Company Gas