Since the start of the pandemic, many companies around the world has switched to the "new normal" phase and started to implement minimum health protocols in their workplaces (only applicable to companies with no Work From Home setup) and work areas to help prevent the spread or at least reduce the transmission of this dreaded disease called COVID-19. This "new normal" has been going around the world for more than a year now and it may not stop anytime soon. What are the different minimum health protocols in your workplace?
Supermarkets, malls, and many companies nowadays are strictly implementing a "no mask, no entry" policy just for starters. Even in production lines and different food manufacturing facilities are also implementing this new policy with added restrictions such as the strictly wearing of face shields, frequent handwashing and sanitization, and strictly no talking to co-workers especially in the production area.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. --- Benjamin Franklin
Minimum Health Protocols and Safety Guidelines
Helping to stop the spread of coronavirus is one of the main objectives of implementing the minimum health protocols and safety guidelines in workplaces. These are a set of instructions that employees should follow in order to reduce or prevent yourselves from getting COVID-19 to infected or suspected people that might show symptoms of the disease.
For those companies who really can't have a work from home setup, and requires their employees to still go to work in their respective workplaces, some of these minimum health protocols and safety guidelines could be use by the employers in their workplaces in response with the worldwide preparedness against the COVID-19 disease:
- Always put your facemask on. We've seen this as a reminder ads on TV or in one of your local health center's medical posters. I have personally seen this in a poster almost everywhere I go! COVID-19 transmission is known for travelling microdroplets of fluids from an infected person to another. The main exit and entry points of these microdroplets are your nostrils (nose) and mouth. So, covering up these two (2) parts of your face for prevention of acquiring or spreading the disease could be of a big help to stop spread COVID-19.
- Your face shield is your second line of defense. While others put on a second layer of facemask, some people also use face shield to protect them from microdroplets from getting in their mouth or nose. This is quite difficult at times, but just think of it as a safety protocol to prevent you from getting the coronavirus.
- Wash your hands frequently. Disinfect them regularly. Studies have shown that frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can help remove whatever germs and viruses you acquired from touching any surfaces around. If soap and water are not readily available, make sure that you have an alcohol spray or hand sanitizer with you every single time to instantly disinfect your hands. Choose the one that has a moisturizer in it so that your hands will not dry.
- Always have your temperature checked. Since the start of the pandemic, companies are now required to check the temperatures of their employees before entering any company premises. Any temperature scanned above 37°C should not be allowed to enter the company premises. A body temperature of higher than 37°C could only mean one thing, there is something wrong with that person and he/she could be sick or might show symptoms of COVID-19.
- Always observe cleanliness and orderliness. If in the pre-pandemic era you have been singled-out by your co-workers because you are a clean and neat freak, they should be thanking you for setting a good example around. Having clean and orderly workplace is a nice place to work. If you feel safe with your working area in terms germs and viruses, you probably are.
- Mind the gap. A physical distancing of at least one (1) meter to your left and to your right can help you prevent getting COVID-19. The operative word here is "at least", which only means that anything below 1 meter is bad and anything above it is good in stopping the spread of the disease! Here's a quick metaphor video I found on YouTube about what physical distancing can do to help stop the spread of COVID-19:
- Make sure there are sufficient ventilation areas in your workplace. COVID-19 and other germs and viruses live longer in cold and moist environment. Having your workplace windows opened for air circulation may help stop the spread of the coronavirus. COVID-19 is known to be airborne and may stick to moist air as microdroplets. Air circulation to prevent moist air from coming might actually work.
- Avoid group gatherings and talking during breaks. Breaktimes are always a good time to catch up with your co-workers during the pre-pandemic days. However, things have already changed and talking to a person at an intimate distance is now strictly prohibited. If you want to talk, make it a habit to put on your facemask. A strictly "no talking while eating" policy must be implemented in a workplace to help stop the spread of COVID-19. And oh, no sharing of food should also not be allowed especially when you are using the same utensils for your food sharing.
- Do not go to work if you feel you are sick. During the pre-pandemic days, going to work even if your body does not want to go is a sign of a workaholic. Some would say, it's just a fever, or it is a slight cold, and you can work efficiently even if you have these illnesses. But showing up to work with a slight fever and colds nowadays are not acceptable anymore because these are some of the symptoms of COVID-19. In order to stop the spread of this disease, not showing to work when you are sick or having different symptoms of COVID-19 is a sign of having respect to others.
- Be honest and always check yourself. Preventing COVID-19 to spread from one person to another is sometimes could be done with just logical explanations. If you think you got the disease, just be honest. Only you would know first if you are sick or not. Your body would always tell you to make a halt first with whatever you are doing if there is something wrong inside you. You may do a self-isolation to prevent others from getting your illnesses. If everyone would be honest with their own body conditions, we can reduce or stop the spread of COVID-19.
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