As of March 12, 2020, the educational process in institutions of general and higher education as well as mass events have been restricted to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Kyiv. The introduction of quarantine is planned nationwide. State Labor Service of Ukraine recommend employers on their further actions in such situation.
Ways of COVID-19 spreading
When a sick person or carrier of COVID-19 coughs or exhales, drops of contaminated fluid are released. Most of them end up in the environment, on the surface and objects such as desks, phones.
People can be infected with COVID-19 by:
- touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then – the eyes, nose or mouth;
- airborne transmission from a COVID-19 patient when standing one meter away from an infected person (in other words, COVID-19 spreads like flu and ARVI).
Most people infected with COVID-19 have mild symptoms and eventually recover. However, the course of the disease can be more complicated and may be accompanied by complications, including the development of pneumonia. Such patients require urgent hospitalization.
The risk of complications of the disease increases with age, in particular:
- people over 40 are more vulnerable than people under 40;
- people with weakened immune systems and people with diseases such as diabetes, heart and lung diseases, etc.
Employers should take preventive measures, even if COVID-19 cases are not registered in the area where they do business
Make sure your employees’ working places are clean and hygienic
Surfaces (such as desks and all working areas, phones, keyboards, etc.) should be cleaned regularly with a disinfectant.
Workers, contractors and customers (consumers) should regularly and thoroughly wash their hands.
Place disinfectant dispensers in all visible places (near workplaces). Make sure that these dispensers are refilled regularly.
Place reminders (posters) in prominent places that promote hand washing.
Workplace should be aired regularly
Post reminders (posters) that promote airing in the workplace. Combine such activities with other communication activities (coaching, training) promoting health and safety.
Make sure face masks and other personal protective equipment are available in workplaces where there is a bunch of people with sneeze (cough). Special waste bins must be provided for the disposal of masks (mask filters).
People who have a temperature should stay at home (take a sick leave or work remotely).
For people with a temperature higher than 37.3 ºC, taking antipyretic drugs such as paracetamol/acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin can only mask the disease (infection).
Keep in touch with employees, make proclamations that recommend staying at home.
Post posters with recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
If COVID-19 gets into your team
Avoid discrimination against persons employed in the enterprise. Consider the ways to identify those who are at risk and support them.
These include persons who have recently traveled to COVID-19 infected areas, people with other serious illnesses (such as diabetes, heart and lung diseases, other age-related illnesses).
Promote regular trainings (communication) within the organization.
Usage of telecommunications technology will help you business continue to operate while employees are working remotely or absent.
Important information on prevention
- Employers should emphasize the need to stay at home for workers who experience any signs of illness.
- At the time of the active spread of the disease, it is better to refuse business trips to countries where the epidemic is raging or to try to minimize business trips at all.
- Regularly air the premises, emphasize the need for washing hands and avoiding places of mass gathering.
- If workflow permits, encourage the employees to work from home.
