OMD UK office shuts over coronavirus scare

OMD UK, the Omnicom media planning and buying agency, has temporarily shut its London office and sent staff home due to a coronavirus precaution.

An Omnicom Media Group UK spokeswoman told Campaign: "Earlier today, we became aware of an employee showing flu like symptoms, who had returned a few days ago from a trip to Australia with a flight connection through Singapore.

"As a precautionary measure, and until definitive results of the employee’s coronavirus test is confirmed, we are asking OMG employees at our Fitzrovia offices to immediately work from home.

"OMG UK employees have been informed that, whilst the risk of the test being positive is minimal, every precaution is being taken to protect their health and wellbeing.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and follow the guidance provided from the Government and expect to reopen these offices on Monday pending the results."

OMD UK, part of Omnicom Media Group, is based in London's Fitzrovia and is due to move across the capital later this year to Omnicom's UK headquarters in Bankside.