Post-COVID Lockdown Relaxations - Workplace Norms

Post COVID Lockdown Relaxations - Workplace Norms

The Centre’s move for a stepped phase: unlocking market activity after the rigorous lockdown that lasted for more than 2 months, setting the stage for people to resume their jobs and undertake travel as per guidelines. As the lockdown rules are eased, many of us will be venturing back to the offices. However, it does not mean life will get back to normal immediately.

Offices and other workplaces are relatively close setting, with shared spaces like (corridors, elevators & stairs, parking places, cafeteria, meeting rooms, and conference halls, etc.) and thus COVID-19 infection can spread relatively fast among officials, staffs, and visitors. Thus there is a need to prevent the importation of the infection in workplace settings and to respond in a timely and effective manner in case the suspect case of COVID-19 is detected in these settings, so as to limit the spread of infection.

There must be a bundle of questions buzzing in your mind. Should you step out? What precautions must you take? Is it safe?

The World Health Organization (WHO), United States Centres for Disease Control (CDC), and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India has answered some of these frequently asked questions to ensure prevention against COVID-19 at the workplace and during traveling. Here is a primer gathered from these guidelines to help you stay prepared to get back into your routine.

For Employers

Make sure your workplaces are clean and hygienic

All areas on the premises including the following shall be disinfected completely using user-friendly disinfectant mediums:
Entrance Gate of building, office, etc.
Cafeteria and canteens.
Meeting room, Conference halls/ open areas available, verandah/ entrance gate of the site, bunkers, portacabins, building, etc.
Equipment and lifts.
Washroom, toilet, sink; water points, etc.
Walls/ all other surfaces

Some other directives

Display posters promoting hand-washing
Put sanitizing hand rub dispensers in prominent places around the workplace. Make sure these dispensers are regularly refilled
Display posters promoting respiratory hygiene
Ensure that face masks and/or paper tissues are available at your workplaces, for those who develop a runny nose or cough at work, along with closed bins for hygienically disposing of them
Keep communicating and promoting the message that people need to stay at home even if they have just mild symptoms of COVID-19
Display posters with this message in your workplaces. Combine this with other communication channels commonly used in your organization or business.
Not more than 2/4 persons (depending on size) will be allowed to travel in lifts or hoists.
The use of a staircase for climbing should be encouraged.
All workplaces shall have adequate arrangements for temperature screening
Workplaces shall have a gap of one hour between shifts and will stagger the lunch breaks of staff, to ensure social distancing.
On the occurrence of a case, isolate the ill person in a room away from others at the workplace
Close workplace and allow staff to work from home if any positive COVID-19 cases are found

For Employees

The basic preventive measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of infection with COVID-19. These measures need to be observed by all (employees and visitors) at all times. These include:

Wearing face cover is compulsory in all public places, workplaces.
The physical distancing of at least one meter to be followed at all times.
Use of face covers/masks to be mandatory.
Practice frequent hand washing (for at least 40-60 seconds)
Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves the strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing of used tissues properly.
Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds)
Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest

When organizing meetings & events

Consider whether a face-to-face meeting or event is needed. Could it be replaced by a teleconference or online event? Could the meeting or event be scaled down so that fewer people attend?
Pre-order sufficient supplies and materials, including tissues and hand sanitizer for all participants. Have surgical masks available to offer anyone who develops respiratory symptoms
Arrange seats so that participants are at least one meter apart
Open windows and doors whenever possible to make sure the venue is well ventilated

The above-stated measures will help us to bring the normal back and erode Corona Infection from the roots. Abiding the directives from WHO and Central/State Governments should be humanitarian duty to protect us and our surroundings from any further misery.

Source: The World Health Organization (WHO), United States Centres for Disease Control (CDC), and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India

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