With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its many variants, the coming of vaccine brought hope to safely return to the new normal. In fact, some of the countries and cities eased the restrictions by lifting up the lockdown only if all safety procedures are strictly abided by. Other than public places, businesses and offices resumed normal operations, welcoming their staff while ensuring safety of all.

Putting human factor aside, environmental cleaning and safety in the office is equally important especially when a detailed research from CDC concluded that coronavirus can survive on surface for hours or days, depending on overall best practices taken for sanitization, cleaning and safety. As for those who’re moving abroad to work or already employed in another country like in the UAE for instance, be sure to consult visa medical centre for all COVID-19 related work and travel guidelines.

Let’s have a look into valuable info that can prepare you and your office for reopening.

The Pre-COVID Workplace – Accepting the New Normal

Adding to the usual office security guidelines, there’re many new protocols to follow that can help in reducing further spread of coronavirus within a working environment. Health centres, professionals as well as the CDC recommend implementation of all essential safety rules. This is because office buildings have staff that comes from many different places throughout the day which significantly raise the threat of falling victim to the virus.

Everyone arriving at public places are likely to pass through common entrance, lobbies, elevators, security check and so on that are virus hotspots. To ensure you don’t carry it along directly at the workplace, walkthrough sanitizing tunnels are installed to disinfect all incoming personnel.

Reducing Transmission

Creating awareness is the first step in reducing COVID-19 transmission as well as to keep the virus contaminants at bay. For workplace in particular, here’s what you should do!

  • Educate the employees and even clients (only if they’re visiting you in the office) about common signs and symptoms of the virus. Dedicate a resource to respond to queries on COVID-19, necessary steps to take should they fall victim or exposed to someone or environment that may carry the virus.
  • Any employee feeling sick or suspect likewise symptoms are advised to stay home and have their tests performed. In case the test comes out positive, employers should allow the effected with flexible work policies and additional leaves.
  • Reduce physical contact at workplaces as much as possible, especially with employees that recovered from the virus recently or those suspected to be infected. Encourage work-from-home policy or even if they’re willingly coming to office, dedicate an isolated cubicle for them.
  • Everyone should follow the basic safety protocols such as wear face masks, sanitize or wash hands frequently with antiseptic soap. Increase intake of immune boosting foods to strengthen the natural defence from inside the body.

Social Distancing

For a controlled office environment as well as to prevent transmission of the virus, maintaining more distance between workers is perhaps the best and easiest way. Reduce staff to 50% while the rest work from the safety of their home or, implement shifts and alternate days for each employee. 

Social distancing is now the new normal which means office interior, work policies and overall layout should also be adapted accordingly. Prefer larger spaces and lesser staff while creating flexible worksites that also accommodate to the likes of remote working. 

Employers should emphasize on setting up a workplace with the latest technology that fully supports communication and collaboration with rest of the staff as well as customers relying only on remote, virtual or online services.

Reopening Guide

Before returning to the office, both employers and employees should come prepared with all the essential COVID-19 safety procedure as outlined by the state government. Now that the worldwide vaccination programmes and campaigns are operational, every individual is responsible to get themselves vaccinated before entering public places or returning to the usual routine. But, even after taking the jabs, safety protocols mustn’t be undermined at any cost.

Research and studies suggested that coronavirus cells have lesser chance of spreading at places having good ventilation and plenty of open space. Consider installation of high-efficiency air filters, better ventilation and HVAC system to reduce virus as much as possible.

Carefully eye the entire office to identify coronavirus hotspots and nooks that may promote spread. Consider all high-traffic areas including touch points such as elevator controls, staircase, door handles, office stationery, cups and platters so on. Until and unless the virus threat completely fades, it’s better to opt for disposable cups and plates.

As for door access, go for a touchless option such as an automatic door opener based on motion sensor whereas the same can be said for elevators, lobbies and entryways. There’re many antimicrobial hardware installation units available such as door handles, push/pull locks, and more, coated with silver ion which helps in reducing the virus and bacteria. Depending on the budget, employers can also opt for voice-based technologies that simply eliminate the hassle of physical contact.

If your employment duty involves more frequent travelling within and outside the country, be sure to have your visa medical screening with all the latest COVID-19 protocols thus avoiding any inconvenience.

Safety & Sanitization of Offices

Cleaning and disinfection of everything within an office should be performed regularly including stationery, workstations, laptops, devices etc. For surfaces and places used commonly, they must be cleaned and sanitized every few minutes. Office deep cleaning should be scheduled on a weekly basis rather than once in a month or so on.

With all the essential details and safety measures taken for workplaces in particular as explained above, make sure they’re being followed sincerely for safety and wellbeing of all.