Back to Office after the Lockdown? Here's How to Stay Safe

Our battle with the Coronavirus is not over. As we move forward, there are many things that we need to do differently in order to stay safe and stop the spread of COVID-19. 

Social distancing, and finding ways to improve our immunity are important, but we can’t stay locked up at home to do this. Many of us are back at work or making plans to do so, in this scenario, here’s what you need to do to stay safe – 

Precautions office management should take after the lockdown – 

Ask sick employees to stay at home 

If any of them have symptoms of acute respiratory illness, ask them to stay home until they are better. Check if they have fever or signs of a fever and any other symptoms, if they are free from these symptoms for at least 24 hours, they can come back to work.

Be vigilant

If you notice that an employee is showing signs of respiratory illness, like a cough or shortness of breath at work, or becomes sick during the day, separate them from the other employees as soon as possible and send them home to recover. Create a room or space for them where they can be isolated when in the office. Wipe down their workstation and anything else they have come in contact with as soon as possible.

Spread awareness

 It is your duty to educate all staff and employees on proper hygiene and respiratory etiquette. Send emails, put up posters or share videos on what to do and how to be safe in the workplace. Provide tissues, hand sanitizer, disposable wipes and remove fingerprint scanners. Tell employees to clean their hands often with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Rearrange seating

Only essential staff should be called in, even then, make sure that people are seated at least 6ft away from each other. Don’t crowd people into a single room or at a single table. Make sure there is sufficient distance.

Perform thorough cleaning

All frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, counter-tops, doorknobs, remote controls, control panels, desks, lift buttons, hand railings etc.

Precautions employees should take while going to work after the lockdown 

Getting to work

Avoid crowded public transport as much as possible. When you are commuting, wear a mask and glove, or sanitize your hands with alcohol-based sanitizer if you come in contact with railing, handles, buttons, money etc. Don’t travel during peak hours, get permission to change work hours so that you spend less time on the road and in public transport.

Lifts 

Depending on the size of the lift, there should not be more than 2 – 4 people in the lift at a time. Don’t go into a crowded lift, maintain distance as much as possible. Take the stairs and be careful not to touch the hand railing there.  

Desk

At your desk or workstation, make sure you have alcohol-based hand sanitizer, wipes and disinfectants, and tissues. As soon as you get to work, wipe down the keyboard, desk, mouse and all the other objects you use at your desk.

Respiratory etiquette 

If you have a cold, cough, runny nose, sneeze, etc. leave work as soon as possible and immediately wear a mask. Cough/sneeze into your elbow, use a tissue and instantly discard the dirty tissue in a covered bin.

Have fewer meetings 

Try to limit the number of meetings you have and attend, also limit the number of people in the meeting. Avoid groups of more than 4-5 people.

Limit the use of paper 

This is good for the environment and good for you as you limit the number of objects you come in contact with at work. Send memos in an email instead of paper, get documents online and have an e-signature instead of paper and pen.

Wash your hands regularly

Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Do this regularly as you might not be aware of how many surfaces you come in contact with during the day.

Don’t strain your eyes 

This might not seem important, but it is. The more you strain your eyes, the more likely you are to touch/rub them.

Carry your own cutlery 

If you carry your own food, then carry your own cutlery too. If you eat at work, then it’s a good idea to still carry your own cutlery. Avoid using utensils that many people share.

Be safe, and follow good hygiene practices to protect yourself and those around you. Are there any precautions that you think are important? Share them with us in the comments below, or get in touch with us at NoBroker for Sanitation work our professionals will take care of everything.

In case of a COVID-19 emergency, contact-

National Helpline Number +91-11-23978046 or 1075

MyGov Corona Helpdesk on WhatsApp – 9013151515

Karnataka – 104

Maharashtra – 020-26127394

Tamil Nadu – 044-29510500

Delhi NCR 011-22307145

Telangana – 104

Andhra Pradesh – 0866-2410978