To support national response efforts in the Ukraine and Kazakhstan to curb the spread of COVID-19, the company is working closely with the authorities in those countries to contribute medical supplies, equipment and even novel ways to help people use their time well while in lockdown.

In Ukraine, the company has purchased PPE for the medical staff of Gorbachevskiy Khersonsk Regional Infectious Diseases Hospital, a facility central to the region ArcelorMittal Berislav operates in.  It has also given 12,000 protective masks to pharmacies in Kryvyi Rih and has made its six ambulances, all fully equipped with PPE, available to safely transport people with suspected cases of COVID-19.  In addition, it has purchased three artificial ventilator units for medical facilities in Kryvyi Rih, converted its Kryvyi Rih sanatorium into an observational facility for people in quarantine, and is running online activities to keep children entertained while school is out.

To safeguard employees working at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih and its subsidiaries, the company has purchased masks, respirators, gloves and goggles for their use, has installed infrared thermometers for fever detection and has implemented sanitisation measures for check points, bus stops and other means of transport.

In Kazakhstan, the company has made two of its local health resorts available to house up to 450 people who need to be quarantined. ArcelorMittal Temirtau has assumed all expenses for the maintenance of those facilities and for catering for those quarantined there, as well as the doctors who monitor them. It has also provided financial support for PCR testing in the Karaganda region, increasing the number of daily tests from 1,200 to 3,000.

To support its employees’ health and wellbeing through the lockdown, and that of their families, the company has organised several social media campaigns, including: “Stay at home and learn to cook”, “Creative ideas against coronavirus”, “Immortal regiment”, a digital memorial march commemorating victory day and the “Congratulations on Victory Day” kids contest. Posts to ArcelorMittal Temirtau’s social media accounts were viewed more than 1.85 million times a week at the peak of the campaign.  The company has also provided its employees with 60,000 reusable masks, produced by TAA, its daughter company.