Vital Posters that are Compulsory for your Workplace Post Lockdown.

The lockdown imposed due to the pandemic situation created by the COVID-19 virus is not a permanent way of life. These restrictions are bound to lift sometime, and things will return to normal. However, there are a few essential points that need to be discussed when the work begins after the lockdown is eased. Until the virus is eliminated or rendered harmless, precautions must be taken, and individual posters can be set up around the office to remind and instruct the employees about the correct way to maintain hygiene.

Point #1: Wash Your Hands

Due to the impact of CoronaVirus, the World Health Organisation has released a guide on something as simple as washing our hands. The correct way to wash your hands to avoid contamination is explained in the image below.

How To Wash Hands Properly?

Follow these steps while washing your hands:

Step 1. Wet your hands under running water and then turn the tap off.

Step 2. Now apply soap (liquid soap preferred) on your hands and start rubbing them against each other until enough lather is produced to cover your hands.

Step 3. Make sure you rub your hands up to the wrists, including the back and behind your fingers and fingernails for a minimum of 20 seconds. (Sing the Happy Birthday Song twice for a timer)

Step 4. Wash your hands again under running water until all the soap is removed and dry your hands using a paper towel or Air Dryer. Avoid using napkins, which you would place back into your pocket.

Where Must This Be Pasted?

The above image must be downloaded, printed, and pasted across the entire office, especially near the washing areas, so that the employees follow the correct procedure of washing hands. You might opt for laminating the print-out to ensure it lasts for long. Pasting this across the office will also motivate the employees to wash their hands frequently.

When Must We Wash Our Hands?

There is no official guide as to when one must wash his/her hands, but we must do it frequently to prevent the spread of viruses. Some of the most critical scenarios that require washing hands are:

• After you reach your office and before you touch any machine, system, etc.
• After touching any commonly used machines like printers, shredders, etc.
• Before and after you eat your lunch.
• After using the Toilet.
• Make it a habit to wash your hands every hour, even if you have not touched anything new.

Why Is Washing Your Hands So Important?

Washing your hands with soap regularly has been described as one of the must-follow precautions to avoid the spread of the Corona Virus by WHO. The soap might not kill the Coronavirus, but an effecting rubbing of your hands with soap under running water for 20 secs will remove any germs or viruses on your hand and slip them into the drain below, making your hands safe.

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Point # 2: Social Distancing

How To Maintain Social Distancing?

Just like washing hands, Social Distancing is to be maintained between all the colleagues at all times without any exception. Social distancing must be followed:

• While commuting to the office – Sit on alternative seats if using public transport.
• While sitting on desks – Try to sit on alternative seats.
• While walking in the common pathway – Maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from the person in front of you.
• While having lunch – The canteens/cafeteria must always be filled with only half of their actual capacity with the alternate seating arrangement.
• While using Pantry and other common areas – Limit the number of people inside at a given period and have the patience for your chance to come.

To remind your staff about Social Distancing, you need to paste the below poster almost everywhere in your office.

When To Maintain Social Distancing?

Coronavirus is a contagious disease, which means social distancing is to be maintained all the time in office and while commuting too.

Where To Maintain Social Distancing?

While in office, Social distancing can be maintained, taking care that under no circumstance, two employees are working close to each other. This includes workspace, canteen, toilets, common areas, etc. Care must be taken in the seating arrangements, and also it is essential to conduct meetings and presentations via digital means only.

Why Maintain Social Distancing?

As mentioned earlier, the Novel Coronavirus can spread from one human being to another if they come in close contact with someone infected. However, the infection is not airborne but can spread through contaminated surfaces, which includes a person’s body as well.

Point # 3: Wear a Mask at all times.

How To Wear A Mask?

Like washing hands, there is an official guide from the WHO on How to wear a mask. Most of us would consider this an easy task and put on the mask with ease. However, if care is not taken, you might never know that you would be actually inviting the virus instead of keeping it away. There are specific points which need to be taken care of:

• Wash your hands thoroughly before putting on the mask.
• Make sure the mask is new and unused (in case of disposable ones)
• Inspect the mask for any tear, cut or damage
• Cover your face adequately with the mask so that there isn’t the slightest gap between them.
• Never touch the mask or your face.

The following image displays the correct method to wear a mask. This poster must be sent in an email and placed across the office to educate the employees to adopt the right habit of wearing a mask and prevent the spread of the infection.

When To Wear A Mask?

Due to the nature of the Coronavirus, it is recommended to wear a mask when you exit your home. Initially, wearing a mask was necessary for those who suffered flu-like symptoms or for those who took care of COVID-19 patients. But today, you cannot be sure as to who has the virus or who doesn’t as sometimes the symptoms of Coronavirus are not revealed until a week.

So to stay safe, you must keep yourself protected from the Corona Virus infection by wearing a mask at all times.

Where To Wear A Mask?

Believe it or not, your Home Sweet Home is the safest place to be unless you have a family member who is infected with the Coronavirus. Anywhere else is a dangerous place to be, including hospitals. So make it a habit to wear a mask when you step outside for work or to buy food and other essentials.

Why Wear A Mask?

The Novel Coronavirus can quickly enter the human body through the nose and the mouth. Wearing a mask ensures that the air you are breathing in is filtered and does not contain any germs or viruses. It also reminds you not to touch your hands on your face without washing them.

Note: Always dispose of the mask if it gets too soiled or damp.

Point # 4: Dispose of Used Masks & Paper Towels Properly

How To Dispose of The Used Masks And Paper Towels?

The below image explains clearly how to remove your mask and dispose of it properly. The World Health Organisation has published these guidelines, and these steps prevent the person wearing the mask from getting infected while removing the mask.

When Should We Dispose Of The Used Masks And Paper Towels?

Mask: If you feel that your mask has become too damp or wet, then you must remove it carefully and dispose of it off. And you should immediately wear a fresh mask. Never wear used and old masks. The same is true for any torn or damaged masks.

Paper Towels: Paper towels must be disposed of immediately after use. These are generally used for wiping hands dry or while coughing, sneezing, or used with a disinfectant liquid or spray while cleaning surfaces.

Where Should We Dispose The Used Masks And Paper Towels?

Closed Bin. The used masks and paper towels must be disposed of in a closed bin, which will give no opportunity to the Coronavirus to escape. Also, the bins must be designed to be accessed without contact from the hands of individuals.

Note: Never dispose of these materials in open space.

Why Should We Exercise Care To Dispose of The Used Masks And Paper Towels?

If wearing a mask is very important to remain safe, then disposing of your worn mask and used paper towels is equally essential. Those things that protected you from the virus might have contaminated themselves while protecting you. Thus it becomes necessary for each one of us as a moral responsibility to dispose of them properly so that nobody else can get infected. The same goes for paper towels that we use to wipe our hands dry or use while sneezing or occasional cough.

Point # 5: Coronavirus Information

What Are The Symptoms Of Coronavirus?

The Novel Coronavirus is from the same family of viruses that cause flu in humans, and hence the most common symptoms are flu-like symptoms that consist of Fever, Cough, Running Nose, Nasal Congestion, and Sore Throat. Other symptoms include Tiredness, Aches, Diarrhoea, Loss of taste or smell, and rash or discolouration of skin near finger and toes.

The effect of infection varies from individual to individual. There have been cases observed where infected people have displayed very mild symptoms that can quickly be passed as being under the weather in normal circumstances.

How Does Coronavirus Spread?

The COVID-19 infection can spread to people from others who are infected with the virus. It has been determined that the Coronavirus spreads through the small droplets from the nose and mouth, which come out when an infected person sneezes, coughs, and even speaks (wears a mask). The person standing nearby takes in the virus while breathing (Social distancing, 1 m away). In other cases, if the droplets land on a surface like tables, doorknobs, etc. the virus stays alive and active for a minimum of 48 hours. Any person touching those infected surfaces can carry the virus in their hands and infect himself if he touches his face with those same hands (wash hands frequently).

When Does Coronavirus Start Affecting?

A person infected with Coronavirus will start reflecting symptoms after 5 to 6 days, but this number can range from 1 to 14 days in a few cases. Remember, every person is different, and there have been cases where the symptoms were very mild and negligible.

Where Can You Get The Coronavirus Infection?

Anywhere, Anything, Anytime.

Coronavirus is found all over the world, and there isn’t a single country that is free from this infection. WHO has declared that the Coronavirus can be easily cleaned from sold surfaces using the common disinfectants like Lizol and Dettol. Further studies prove that the COVID-19 virus can survive for 72 hours on plastic and steel, less than 4 hours on copper, and less than 24 hours on cardboard.

Why Do You Need To Be Extra Cautious Of Coronavirus?

Although it has been observed that the mortality rate of the COVID-19 virus is not very high but being contagious, the infection rate is very high. It is spreading like fire in a dry forest and seems to be uncontainable in many areas.

If a person moves out of his home for whatever reason, there is a probability that he might carry the virus back home, and this could prove to be a danger to his family as well. It is recommended that when a person comes to his house from outside. Must take a bath and dispose of his clothes in an isolated bag to be washed separately with care.

Note: The information mentioned above about Coronavirus has been derived from WHO’s official website.

Point # 6: Move Out Fully Loaded.

The last point with regards to staying safe while working post lockdown is to carry with you, all the essential items you would require during your time outside your house. This is a part of Social Distancing and will avoid the borrowing and lending of stuff between colleagues.

• Make a list of Daily Essentials you will/would/might require while commuting to the office and during your work hours and carry them with you. This could include Chewing Gum, Candies, Paper Towels, and Pain Killers, etc.
• Always carry the Corona Essentials like Masks, Disposable Gloves, Paper Napkins, and a Hand Sanitizer bottle with you wherever you go. Also, carry an extra mask apart from the one you are wearing.
• Avoid paying by currency notes and coins and use online wallets and other forms of digital currency. Coins are a big no as they have a non-porous surface.
• Ensure you carry your breakfast and lunch with you and avoid eating from canteens and cafeterias. There are a lot more chances of contamination in a place full of people. If your office permits, then have lunch at your desk alone rather than conducting potluck every day.
• Most of us have a Pantry in the office for evening Tea or Coffee, and this is something that cannot be carried from home. However, try to bring your Mug and water bottle to avoid using disposables to prevent any possible contamination, and avoid excessive garbage, keeping our world less polluted.

Point # 7:  Signing the Declaration Letter.

All employees must sign the declaration letter as a moral sense of responsibility towards the office, other colleagues, and society as a whole. It contains self-declaration about the employee not having any symptoms at the time of coming back to work and the fact that he/she would follow all the necessary precautions.

How Will The Declaration Form Be Signed?

This declaration should ideally be sent to the employees via email, and they should digitally sign it using an application like DocuSign before sending it back. Alternatively, this document can be signed the first day when the employee reports back to work after lockdown. Care must be taken as many employees would be involved in the signing process, and in this case, the same stationery will be used in many cases.

When Will The Declaration Be Signed?

The declaration must be signed before joining or on the first-day post lockdown relaxation.

Where Will The Declaration Be Signed?

The employee at his own house must sign the declaration before resuming office, or if it has to be signed in the office, then a well-sanitized room fitted with a hand sanitizer and a maximum of one person must be present. Each employee must enter the room one by one, maintain a distance of 1 metre, sanitize their hands, and sign the document on the table and leave the room.

Why Is The Declaration Being Signed?

Every employer can’t maintain and check the status of each employee. Nor can this be done by a large team. The best way for a successful office to function is when each employee takes care of himself/herself and follows all the recommended rules and procedures. This way, we can ensure that if each employee stays safe, then the whole office stays safe as well.

The Final Word On Vital Posters That Are Compulsory For Your Workplace, Post Lockdown.

These were the essential points that must be taken care of before resuming the work in an office after the lockdown period ends. It is recommended to continue Work From Home and only resume offices if a particular type of work cannot be done from home.  The posters and the declaration form can be downloaded and used across the offices to spread awareness among employees. The above guidelines will only help to prevent any further spread of Coronavirus but not curb it altogether. Most importantly, don’t panic, as when a person panics, he/she loses 50% of the ability to think.

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