Dos and Don'ts to check spread of Covid-19 in offices

Hyderabad: With India entering the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekar Rao, in a press meet on May 18, permitting 100 per cent attendance in offices, here are the guidelines on preventive measures to contain spread of Covid-19 in workplace as prescribed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of Government of India.
“Offices and other workplaces are relatively close settings, 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, staff and visitors,” the ministry said.
Thus there is a need to prevent spreading of infection in workplace settings and to respond in a timely and effective manner in case a suspect case of Covid-19 is detected in these settings, so as to limit the spread of infection.
Dos :Install thermal scanners at the entry of buildings, as feasible and placing of hand sanitisers at the entry of buildings (mandatory only for government officers). Those found having flu-like symptoms may be advised to take proper treatment/quarantine etc.
If there are one or two cases reported, the disinfection procedure will be limited to places/areas visited by the patient in past 48 hrs. There is no need to close the entire office building/halt work in other areas of the office and work can be resumed after disinfection as per laid down protocol (see para 7). However, if there is a larger outbreak, the entire building will have to be closed for 48 hours after thorough disinfection. All the staff will work from home, till the building is adequately disinfected and is declared fit for re-occupation.
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