The new Coronavirus strain COVID-19 first emerged in Wuhan, China and it has spread to all countries around the world with over 1.2 million confirmed infection cases and close to 70,000 deaths recorded.
The virus is largely responsible for causing disease in animals, but it is now evident that it can cause severe respiratory illness in humans as well. Common symptoms of Coronavirus include dry cough, sneezing, sore throat, fatigue, fever and malaise. Other uncommon signs are digestion problems and loss of smell and taste.
To slow the spread, health experts are urging the public to wash their hands regularly, cover their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, cook animal products thoroughly and avoid close contact with anyone with flu-like symptoms.
This post focuses on office protection from Coronavirus and on how to contain the disease from spreading. Here are a few ways you can help protect your office and employees from this contagious illness.
Invest in Easy-to-Clean Furniture
When revamping your office in light of this pandemic, always go for furnishing that’s easy to clean. This will make it easier for your cleaners or any other third party cleaners to perform a more efficient job for a healthier office space. Moreover, this will encourage employees to clean by themselves instead of waiting for the cleaning crews to come in the evening.
Install Swing Doors and Motion Sensors
If you are able to limit the number of surfaces employees and guests need to touch with their hands, the better for all parties involved. One way to go about it is to install swing doors that open both ways. This type of door does not need handles and can easily open by pushing them with any body part other than the hands.
If your budget allows, install motion lights and motion sensors in all rooms including kitchens and bathrooms to prevent office users from touching doors, surfaces and faucets with their hands.
Embrace Technology
You do not all have to be in the same conference room to have a meeting with your employees. With Bluetooth technology, video conferencing and other tech solutions, you can connect with your employees remotely without leaving your office desk.
You should also buy personal laptops, phones, tablets and portable devices for each employee to reduce the need for sharing and limit the number of peripherals and wires that require cleaning.
Technology can also come in handy, as it allows your employees to work from home if they are feeling sick or too scared to commute to work amid this pandemic.
Disinfect Your Office Space Daily
Another easy way to protect your office space from this pandemic is to clean it every day. Many offices opt to schedule cleaning services two or three times a week. However, skimping out of daily cleaning could be a health hazard, particularly as Coronavirus infections escalate. Considering this, you should invite professional cleaning crews to disinfect all surfaces, machines and appliances. Make sure the cleaners are using eco-friendly disinfectants and detergents.
Update Your First Aid Kit
Stock up your first aid kit with over the counter medications and other accessories that can help stop or slow down the spread of germs. Health experts advise that zinc lozenges are quite effective in suppressing a wide range of viruses, including Coronavirus, from multiplying in the throat and the nasal cavity. Items such as surgical masks and latex gloves can also help protect your employees from possible infection so long as they use and dispose them properly.
Install Sanitizers
Washing hands with soap and warm water is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of Coronavirus. However, if this solution is not readily available, then consider using alcohol-based sanitizers. The sanitizer should contain 60-90 percent alcohol for it to work effectively against the virus.
Gift Employees with Disinfecting Wipes
It might not be a great time to share gifts, but giving each of your employees a bunch of disinfecting wipes could go a long way to curb the spread of the virus. Your workers can keep them at their desk and access the wipes easily every time they need to disinfect something. Alternatively, you can keep a bunch of these wipes in a common area for easy access.
Upgrade Your Office Refrigerator
If you have a refrigerator in your office, now is the time to update it accordingly. You should install drawers in your refrigerator, with each department having its own draw. If your budget allows, you could buy several refrigerators with one fridge serving employees and the other exclusively for guests. Remember to disinfect the handles regularly to prevent contamination.
Enforcing these steps will not only protect your office from the Coronavirus outbreak, but also safeguard the workplace from future pandemics. It is up to you to take action and protect your workmates. Doing so will ensure we all stay healthy during these trying times.
