Opening Up America: Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19

On the 16th of April 2020, President Donald J. Trump started two bipartisan dialogues with Members of the Opening Up America Again Congressional Group to discuss the next chapter of the COVID-19 recovery. The same day, Trump presented the criteria and preparedness. The requirements include the data-driven conditions each region or state should satisfy before proceeding to a phased opening and what States should do to meet the challenges ahead. He also revealed the guidelines for opening up America through three phases directed to both individuals and employers. Despite the reopening decision, Americans are widely opposed to reopening most businesses and worried about getting back to work as usual while protecting their lives.

According to a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll, Americans are opposed to the reopening of restaurants, stores, or other businesses. The poll results showed 56 percent of Americans feel comfortable going to grocery stores. However, 67 percent feel uncomfortable shopping at retail clothing stores, and 78 percent would be uncomfortable eating at a restaurant. Moreover, doctors are warning against reopening soon. The virus can be transmitted through surfaces. When someone who has COVID-19 coughs or exhales, they release droplets of infected fluid. Most of these droplets fall on nearby surfaces and objects - such as desks, tables, or telephones. People could catch COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces or objects – and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Suppose you decide on opening your workplace, whether you are a company, clothing stores, or restaurants. In that case, you need to follow these guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to protect your customers, employers, and contractors. Therefore, you need to make sure your workplace is clean and hygienic by following these instructions:

• Surfaces, such as desks and tables or electronics (telephones, keyboards), need to be wiped regularly. 75% Alcohol wipes or Bactericidal Wipes are a good option too.

You can check your budget availability of buying UV Equipment, which has Intelligent Disinfectant and charging from 10 to 65 tablets (30 to 40 laptops in laptop charging models).

• Promote regular hand-washing by putting hand sanitizers and dispensers in prominent places around the workplace.

• Display posters at your workplace, you can find a ready sign here on the WHO website.

• Ensure your employers and anyone who entered your workplace have access to water and soap to wash their hands before they interact.

You can have a dispenser or a hand sanitizer next to the door.

• Ensure that face masks and paper tissues are available at your workplaces, for those who develop a runny nose or cough at work, along with closed bins for hygienically disposing of them.

You can check our previous article on "What is The Best Material to Make a Mask for COVID-19?".

• Brief your employers, contractors, and customers anyone with a mild cough or low-grade fever ( 37.3 or more) should stay at home (or work from home).

You can have Infrared Thermometer safely check employers' or customers' temperature before entering your workplace to prevent any possible infection.

In case of meetings or events, you need to think of potential risks that could happen while gathering your employees. Someone likely brought COVID-19 to the meeting. While COVID-19 caused death, some people might carry it without knowing and pass it to others who are more vulnerable. Therefore, there are vital considerations you should follow to prevent the risk. Make sure to check/subscribe to our blog, so we can guide you step by step instructions while conducting a meeting or event.

Despite the reopening of America, doctors are still warning us from the 2nd wave of this incurable disease COVID-19. Make sure to provide a safe environment by ordering enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from VizoCare online. For inquiries and purchase requests, please contact sales@vizocare.com.