Overview
On 11th March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak as pandemic. Since then, everyone must play a role if we are to stop the spread of this disease. Currently, the incubation period of COVID-19 is assessed to be between 2 and 14 days. This means that if a worker in the company or a visitor who has a confirmed case visits the company, the company will be on shut down for 14days without operation. This is obviously an undesirable consequence. However, this also means that if person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, they have not been infected.
Signs and symptoms of COVID-19
The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has COVID-19 infection:
dry cough
sore throat
difficulty in breathing
tiredness
fever
How it is spread
There are two main routes by which people can spread COVID-19:
infection can be spread to people who are nearby (within 2 metres) such that droplets could be inhaled into the lungs.
it is also possible that someone may become infected by touching a surface, object or the hand of an infected person that has been contaminated with respiratory secretions and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes (such as touching door knob or shaking hands then touching own face)
Preventive Measures
Employers Responsibility.
Employers should:
Place posters that encourage staying home when sick, cough and sneeze etiquette, and hand hygiene at the entrance to the workplace and in other areas where they will be seen.
Provide workers with tissues and waste bins lined with a plastic bag so that they can be emptied without contacting the contents.
Instruct workers to clean their hands frequently, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol.
Provide soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs in the workplace in multiple locations and in common areas to encourage hand hygiene.
Continue routine environmental cleaning and consider additional measures as described later in this document.
Brief the workers, contractors and customers that anyone with even a mild cough or low-grade fever (37.3 C or more) needs to stay at home. They should also stay home (or work from home) if they have had to take simple medications, such as paracetamol/acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin, which may mask symptoms of infection
Any workers who develops flu-like symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath, fever) should go home immediately and contact the public health service. If there is any reason to suspect that they may have been in contact with COVID-19, then follow the which will be discussed in the emergency response procedure.
Routine environmental cleaning:
Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and door handles. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label.
Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks) can be wiped down by workers.
Guidance on facemask/nose mask
The proper use of face masks or the required nose mask must be mandatory for use at all point in the work place. It should also be used at client’s premises, when carrying out visits or deliveries, or when using public transport. However, face masks should only be considered as a complementary measure and not a replacement for established preventive practices, such as physical distancing, cough and sneeze etiquette, hand hygiene and avoiding face touching.
The best way to reduce any risk of infection is good hygiene and avoiding direct or close contact (closer than 2 metres) with any potentially infected person. Any worker who deals with members of the public from behind a screen should be protected from airborne particles
