With some industries opening up as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, it is essential to maintain a safe workplace to help combat this disease’s spread.

Current evidence indicates that when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spreads through respiratory droplets. Transmission may occur directly or may occur by contact with polluted objects, followed by eye, nose, or mouth contact.

The first step in controlling this new coronavirus is to minimize its spread by acceptably using protective equipment. The next step is to take necessary action to clean surfaces that might be polluted and disinfect them. We’re going to explore how to do both.

COVID-19 Cleaning Tips And Prevention

There is a lot of knowledge going around about the current pandemic, and even more thoughts. To maintain the cleanest, safest environment, here are some necessary information to know and the first steps.

KNOW THE TERMS.

Knowing what you’re up against is a big part of fighting it. Let’s take a moment to make sure everyone’s on the same page.

A broad group of viruses is the coronavirus. Seven identified coronaviruses are available that can infect people. In the 1960s, they were first identified. To decide which one they are talking about, you may hear people call this latest one “the new coronavirus” or “the novel coronavirus.”

The name of the newest coronavirus, identified last year, is SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is the disease that caused by SARS-CoV-2. The name tells you that it is the COronaVIrus Disease that was discovered in 2019.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLEANING AND DISINFECTING

“Cleaning” involves the removal from surfaces of dirt and impurities. It does not kill germs, but it reduces the number of germs on a particular surface, thus reducing infection risk.

“Disinfecting” refers to germ-killing, usually with chemicals such as disinfectants that are EPA-registered. It does not appear cleaner on the surface, and there may still be germs, but they will be dead.

A cleaning / disinfecting one-two punch is the safest method. To minimize the bulk of the germs and to get rid of the soil, clean surfaces. Then the surfaces are disinfected to destroy any germs that may remain.

EDUCATE YOUR EMPLOYEES ON APPROPRIATE HANDWASHING PROCEDURES.

Please make sure the staff thoroughly wash their hands for the full 20 seconds recommended. There’s no lack of songs that people can use for 20 seconds to help time this out. And you can find a lot of light-hearted signage on the Internet to support effective handwashing techniques without feeling intimidating or terrifying.

You are using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with at least 60 per cent alcohol content in cases where hand-washing is not an alternative. In a pinch, you might be able to make a DIY hand sanitiser, but make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol, and use directions from a reliable source.

ENCOURAGE YOUR EMPLOYEES NOT TO COME TO WORK WHEN THEY FEEL ILL.

There are many industries where an unspoken practice is to get sick (also known as “presenteeism”). In one survey, 12 per cent of restaurant staff said that they came to work while having diarrhea and vomiting. In general, a separate study of American workers found that 57 per cent often come in sick, while 33 per cent still go in there, even though they’re sick. All together, that means that 90% of American workers sometimes come in when they’re feeling ill.

Healthcare staff come to work sick as well. A 2010 survey of post-graduate residents discovered that 57.9% of them were ill. A research-based on the 2014-2015 flu season found that over 20 per cent of 1,914 health care staff developed flu-like symptoms. Of those, over 40 per cent, despite the possibility of flu transmission, came to work anyway.

This is not a safe idea under any conditions, but those with any disease signs must avoid others. Make sure your workers know that you want them to stay home if they are feeling sick. Consider scheduling an employee “on-call” who will come in if there is an emergency.

The rules surrounding paid time off around the Coronavirus should also be known to you. Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid leave are required by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act for someone who is:

Quarantined due to COVID-19 symptoms

Experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis

Caring for a quarantined individual or a child whose school or childcare provider is closed for reasons related to COVID-19

The bill also provides paid unpaid family and medical leave for ten weeks at 2/3 the pay rate for any employee who has been working for at least 30 calendar days. It is unable to function because, for reasons related to COVID-19, they have to care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed.

The bill doesn’t apply to every employer. But it does cover some public employers, and private employers with fewer than 500 employees. Some small employers (below 50 employees) may be exempt from parts of the Act.

Nevertheless, whether or not you are expected to have left, an employee’s dangers coming in under the weather out of financial necessity are worth considering. Better to pay the bill for the sick leave of one employee who feels a little under the weather, than to face a scenario where you unexpectedly pay your whole workforce for sick leave. This is just one of many ways that being careful with the new coronavirus makes good business sense.