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ICANN Org Issues Work-from-Home Guidance

16 March 2020
By Göran Marby

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, the health and safety of the ICANN organization staff and the community remain our top priority. In situations like this, I believe it is important to communicate internal developments and ICANN org-related decisions to the community.

Last week, after consultation with the ICANN org’s Crisis Management and Executive Teams, I issued official work-from-home guidance for staff at all ICANN org offices. This guidance, which will be in effect until 31 March 2020, was developed based on the ICANN org office location, status of the outbreak, office proximity to densely populated areas, reliance on public transportation, number of staff and building tenants, local business decisions, and other factors.

ICANN Org Work-from-Home Guidance

  • ICANN org staff based in the Brussels, Geneva, and Singapore offices are expected to work from home.
  • ICANN org staff based in the Istanbul, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. offices are recommended to work from home.
  • Normal operations will continue in the Montevideo and Nairobi offices until further notice.

The work-from-home guidance is a proactive measure intended to ensure individual prevention, help keep our offices and communities safer, and to avert or slow any potential spread of the virus. We don’t anticipate that these work arrangements will disrupt our current efforts and processes; ICANN org staff is accustomed to working remotely with other colleagues and with the ICANN community.

I want to thank the community members who have expressed concern for the health and safety of our staff. Please also remember to take care of yourselves and your loved ones. If you or someone close to you is ill or experiencing symptoms, please contact your local health officials.

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding during this time. We will continue to update the community with any new developments or changes to our work plans.

Authors

Göran Marby

Göran Marby

Former President & CEO