Further to earlier advice received, we wish to re-confirm that Novus’ position and response in relation to COVID-19 is aligned to those of the Department of Health, State Health Authorities and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Novus is conducting ongoing and real time reviews to determine if additional measures are needed.

Novus business resilience and continuity

• Novus’ Business Continuity Management System is implemented to the ISO 22301 standard.
• Novus’ Business Resilience & Continuity framework aims to ensure:
• the safety of our community and clients
• the continued provision of key client services and operations.
• Novus has created a COVID-19 Response Team to continually monitor, review and manage our response to the evolving situation. Ongoing reviews include managing the current and potential impacts on our working community, office locations, operations and client services.
• Our Business Continuity Plans are for all locations across Australia including all core systems that supports Novus’ capability to recover business operations in the event of any significant disruption to our core systems.
• Novus has already tested out the work from home capabilities and remote office locations on varying days, with varying staff and we confirm that all IT requirements have been updated and infrastructure improved to ensure that no disruptions have occurred. We confirm all testing to be complete.

Self-quarantine

As per the latest announcement from Prime Minister Morrison, anybody who arrived in Australia from midnight 15 March 2020 is required to self-isolate for 14 days.

You must work from home for 14 days and seek medical clearance before returning to the office if:

• You have had close contact with someone who has or is suspected of having COVID-19; and
• You have symptoms of COVID-19 (a cough, high temperature, shortness of breath).

For the safety of our community, you must also stay away from the office if you have any flu-like symptoms or are feeling unwell.

Please contact either Wayne Gooley, Sara Harman or myself, if you or your family require any assistance.

Client Meeting and events

• All internal and external firm events will be limited to a maximum of 20 persons. These events are only to go ahead if they are necessary and you will be required to obtain written Management approval prior.
• Our advice to all Advisors is that all client meetings that were to occur face to face are changed to a teleconference method and that all clients do not attend Novus’ offices for the safety of our community and the health of our clients. Further we would encourage all Advisors to refrain from visiting clients, and instead, offer a teleconference discussion.

Travel

• All international travel has been cancelled with immediate effect.

• Only essential domestic travel is allowed and it is completely voluntary.

As part of our working culture, we embrace flexibility and we are confident that these changes will not impact or disrupt services. We are working closely with our third-party platform providers to ensure the service levels are continued to be met despite the disruptions to their business operations as well.

We are confident that we have the appropriate processes and measures in place and will continue to monitor the situation.

If you have any questions in relation to Novus’ response to COVID-19, please contact Zainab Adams-Kathrade, Head of Legal & Compliance, Novus Capital Limited on 0426 173 116 or via email Zainab.Adams-Kathrada@novuscapital.com.au.