New guidelines for workplace: 1-2 cases of corona are not required to close the office, work can start after sanitization

The Union Health Ministry on Sunday released a new SOP regarding the office or workplace. According to this, if a corona case is found in an office, then the work can be resumed after disinfecting that area. For this, there will be no need to close or seal the entire building.

According to the ministry, if 1 or 2 cases are found in an office, then the process of disinfection will take place only where the patient has been present in the last 48 hours. The work can then be resumed according to protocol. If a large number of corona cases occur at the workplace, then the entire block or building should be disinfected.

Strictness persists in Containment Zone

The guidelines state that all offices except medical and essential services will be closed in the Containment Zone. Opening of offices only outside the Containment Zone will be allowed. As far as possible, all meetings should be conducted through video conferencing. There will be a ban on more people joining together.

Officers and staff residing in the Containment Zone will have to inform their manager. They should not come to the office till the end of the Containment Zone. Instead, they should be allowed to work from home.

Emphasis on cleanliness and social distancing

Besides, hand cleaning and thermal screening will be necessary at the time of entry into the workplace. Only such staff and visitors who have no symptoms of corona will be allowed entry. The ministry said that all employees and visitors should take measures to prevent corona. These include maintaining a distance of 6 feet, a full-time face cover or mask, and a habit of frequent hand washing.

The place that people touch frequently should be cleaned at least 2 times a day. Office and other workplaces are interlinked. Hence corona can spread rapidly in corridors, elevators, stairs, parking, canteens, meeting rooms, and conference halls. The infection needs to stop spreading. When the corona suspect is identified, it is necessary to take necessary measures in time to limit its spread.

Important to take care of

The SOP states that the number of people in the lift will be fixed so that social distancing can be made.

CPWD instructions for air conditioning and ventilation must be followed.

The temperature of the air conditioner should be from 24 to 30 ° C.

Humidity should range from 40 to 70.

There should be adequate arrangement of cross ventilation at the workplace.

Social distancing should be decided at all times in any shop, stall, cafeteria, or canteen outside and within the office campus.

Staff should do their temperature regular check. If they feel ill or show flu-like symptoms, a doctor should be seen immediately.

Staff and waiters should take other necessary measures including wearing masks and gloves.

The seating arrangement should be such that the staff has a distance of at least 6 feet.