Responses to the Coronavirus Outbreak (Third Report)

Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kita-ku, Osaka; Chairman, President, and CEO: Masaaki Tanaka “NPHD”) established the Coronavirus Emergency Headquarters on January 28, and has been working to ensure the safety and check health status of all employees in global and to establish a BCP (Business Continuity Plan) by holding meetings in a timely manner. In light of the outbreak in Japan, we implement the following measures based on our policy to place the health and safety of all employees as our top priority. The Domestic Employee Handling Guidelines (published on February 21) has been updated today and distributed to all employees in Japan.

1. Strongly encouraging domestic employees to take telework or paid leave (implemented from February 28)

The NPHD Group has already implemented full-scale telework throughout China, where the outbreak is spreading. In Japan, we have already introduced a telework system for some employees. We strongly recommend that employees, especially those with children under elementary school age or children who need special support, and those who use public transportation, take telework or paid leave to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, and ensure the health and safety of employees. Additionally, when there is no network at home or when telework is unfeasible because of various circumstances, we will actively promote the use of remote offices in the vicinity of the home. The same measures will be taken for temporary employees as for employees.

2. Introduction of staggered working hours system and the abolishment of core time (in effect since February 21)

To prevent the spread of coronavirus, we have introduced a staggered work hour system that does not specify the start and end time so that employees can come to work and go home without commuting during rush hours. We will also abolish core time*(10:00–15:00) for flextime work and change to flexible work hours of 7.5 hours between 5:00 and 22:00. * Hours when they are obliged to work

3. Prohibit overseas business trips and self-restraint in domestic business trips (implemented since February 21)

Overseas business trips are completely prohibited. Regarding domestic business trips, we refrain from traveling between Tokyo and Osaka, and refrain from calling meetings or attending meetings attended by 10 people or more. Additionally, if there is a suspicion of close contact with persons traveling between Japan and China, or with persons infected with the new coronavirus, they will be suspended from work for two weeks and will be moved to a place isolated from groups, such as home.