New Delhi (NVI): As India enters the fourth phase of its lockdown, the Ministry of Health has issued guidelines on preventive measures to contain spread of Covid-19 at workplaces.
The fourth phase of lockdown which started yesterday is slated to end on May 31. In its new guidelines, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has allowed all offices to run at 100 per cent capacity. However, work from home is encouraged as much as possible.
According to the guidelines, the entire office building need not be closed if one or two positive cases are reported there and work can resume after the premises are disinfected.
The guidelines also stated that any staff reportedly suffering from a flu-like illness should not attend office and seek medical advice from local health authorities. If diagnosed as a suspect or confirmed case of Covid-19, he/she should immediately inform office authorities.
“Any staff requesting home quarantine based on the containment zone activities in their residential areas should be permitted to work from home. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) guidelines with respect to organizing meetings, coordinating visitors shall be carefully followed,” the order read.
Since offices and other workplaces are relatively close setting with shared spaces like corridors, elevators and stairs, cafeteria, meeting rooms and conference halls, coronavirus infection can spread relatively fast among officials, staff and visitors.
According to the Health Ministry statement, the high-risk exposure contacts will be quarantined for 14 days and they will follow the guidelines and these persons shall undergo testing as per ICMR protocol while low-risk exposure contacts shall continue to work and closely monitor their health for next 14 days.
“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,” the guidelines said.
“There is a need to prevent importation 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,” the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the basic preventive measures include maintain the physical distancing of at least one meter, mandatory use of face covers or masks, practice frequent hand washing even when hands are not visibly dirty and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Similarly, respiratory etiquettes are to be strictly followed. This involves the strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue or handkerchief and disposing of used tissues and self-monitoring of health and reporting any illness at the earliest, the guidelines said.
