safely return

After more than a year of being cocooned at home and being conditioned to step out only for essential chores, going to the workplace now seems scary. The pandemic isn’t entirely gone, and we are not out of the woods yet. Monitoring the news for daily cases, variants, and vaccine rollout is our new normal. With these things happening around us, it can be easy to get desensitized and protect what little we could with our health and sanity.

As we make our way back to our offices and reclaim our sense of normalcy little by little, businesses are also making ways to make the office space healthy, safe, and, as much as possible, virus-free. Doing our part to stay healthy by following health protocols can help slow down the virus’s transmission. By ensuring a safe workplace, companies can regain their employees’ and clients’ confidence, helping their business bounce back sooner.

While slowly going back to work seems like a new adjustment that needs getting used to, following these tips can help ease your worries.

Always bring your disinfectant kit with you, including alcohol, sanitizer, and soap

You can never be too complacent, especially during your commute. While your office might be able to provide disinfectant kits in every corner, you have to sanitize your hands every now and then. Always wash your hands when there’s available water.

Keep a spare face mask in your go-to bag

A face mask is essential nowadays, and while you may be wearing one, it’s better to keep a spare one in case you soil your face mask on the way to the office. That way, you can rest easy 

that you will have an immediate extra for emergency use. Also, if you find yourself running late and forgot to wear your face mask at the last minute, you can use your spare and replace it when you get the chance.

Don’t forget the face shield

Some establishments may not require face shields, but always, ALWAYS wear your face shield. It’s an extra layer of protection that can help minimize contracting the virus.

Bring a clean towel where you can safely put your things

This extra measure can help free your mind from the worry of getting your stuff contaminated with the virus.

Commute at convenient hours

Many businesses are now operating regularly, albeit with different protocols such as weekly shifting or scheduled rotation. While your company implemented these protocols to avoid overcrowding in the office, chances are, other businesses are following the same model. It’s best to avoid the rush hour and stick to a commute system that can help minimize your exposure to other people outside.

Whether you decide to cycle to work or choose to carpool, find that sweet spot where you can travel between the office and your home without getting close contact with people on the road.

  1. Take advantage of telecommuting

    As businesses are slowly transitioning to the new normal, work from home should still be the default option. You can discuss with your supervisor and set a schedule when it is safe and convenient for you to come to the office.
  2. Get in touch with your COVID-19 Management Response Team

    Your company’s COVID-19 Management Response Team is in charge of implementing health protocols within the office. They should continuously monitor the situation to relax the imposition of additional health protocols or do away with redundant ones to ensure efficient workflow.

If you are part of the Management Response Team, here are some of the measures you can implement:

  • Schedule office meetings to a minimum.
  • Restrict access to certain areas, such as storage rooms, to certain people only to make contact tracing easier.
  • Provide PPE or sanitation kits, such as gloves, to the team assigned to clean and disinfect the office.
  • Reconfigure workstations to adhere to social distancing protocols.
  • Implement an emergency protocol for when an employee contracts COVID-19 or had close contact with someone who has the infection.
  • Monitor and assess the situation weekly to ensure employees follow protocols and the supply of sanitation kits is adequate.
  1. Maintain your distance

    Being mindful of your personal space in a public place has never been celebrated (introverts rejoice!). Always follow the markers installed for one-way traffic flow, social distancing, or seating arrangement.
  2. Go contactless

    When it comes to paying for purchases or signing health declaration forms, always go for the contactless method. This way, you can prevent unnecessary contact with random objects where bacteria or viruses may be present.
  3. Disinfect your shoes and bags outside

    Once you’re home, keep disinfectants within your arm’s reach at your doorstep. Then disinfect your shoes and bags before stepping inside your home to keep the bacteria and virus at bay.
  4. Immediately go to the washroom and have a change of clothes

    As a final measure, put your clothes immediately in the laundry area, take a shower, and put on your clean clothes to protect your family members.

Final Message

The pandemic has crippled most businesses and taken away our sense of normalcy. But with extra precaution, we can reclaim our lives, one face mask at a time. The key to defeating the pandemic is staying safe and healthy and setting a good example for other people.

By Anurag Rathod

Anurag Rathod is an Editor of Appclonescript.com, who is passionate for app-based startup solutions and on-demand business ideas. He believes in spreading tech trends. He is an avid reader and loves thinking out of the box to promote new technologies.