The Ministry of Health and Family welfare on 4th July 2020 has issued standard operating protocol on preventive and response measures to be observed to contain the spread of COVID-19 in office settings. Offices in containment zones shall remain closed except for medical & essential services. Only those outside containment zones will be allowed to open up.
Key Highlights from the SOP:
- Office Entrance must mandatory have hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions and only asymptomatic staff/visitors shall be allowed.
- There shall be provision for disinfection of the interior of the vehicle using 1% sodium hypochlorite solution/ spray. A proper disinfection of steering, door handles, keys, etc. should be taken up.
- Posters/standees/AV media on preventive measures about COVID-19 to be displayed prominently.
- For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which inter alia emphasises that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30oC, relative humidity should be in the range of 40- 70%, intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and cross ventilation should be adequate.
- If there are one or two cases reported, the disinfection procedure will be limited to places/areas visited by the patient in past 48 hrs. There is no need to close the entire office building/halt work in other areas of the office and work can be resumed after disinfection as per laid down protocol.
- When one or few person(s) who share a room/close office space is/are found to be suffering from symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 they must Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from others at the workplace. A risk assessment will be undertaken by the designated public health authority (district RRT/treating physician) and accordingly further advice shall be made regarding the management of the case, his/her contacts and need for disinfection.
Click here to read the Notification.
