Back to work precautions During Covid-19: The Handy Guide.

We have put together a simple yet important guide on what precautions you should take to resume work during the coronavirus. Read on to know how you can keep yourself safe.

As our economy slowly gears back into action, with the lockdown being eased in most parts of Kuwait, it is more important than ever to take extra precautions to keep yourself safe from the Coronavirus. A lot of us are getting ready to go back to our offices, but there is also an uncertainty and fear on the right way to do it. Worry not, because we have this handy guide to help you out.

While your workplace will have provisions for thermal scanning, sanitation and social distancing, as per the Kuwait Ministry of Health and World Health Organization directives, it is also important that you personally take precautions as well.

What you must know about the virus:

While you may already know these things, it is never a bad thing to go over them again. Especially because the pandemic not disappearing any time soon, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that it will take a year or two till an adequate vaccine is developed, social distancing and limiting contact amongst peers, and stepping out with PPE is the new normal

The coronavirus is known to live on surfaces, like metal, plastic, cardboard and other day-to-day objects, materials, and surfaces for up to 24 hours or more. It should, therefore, be a rule of the thumb to wash your hands thoroughly every time you step out.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) noted that the more people interact with others and the longer their interactions, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spreading.

Learn the symptoms of Covid-19 and if you notice any of them, self isolate immediately and seek medical help if you experience severe symptoms or breathing issues. Most people with mild symptoms can recover at home with proper precaution.

When you leave for office.

Mask & Gloves: Think of them as your bodily extensions which cannot be left home at any cost. Always wear a mask when leaving home. It is your first shield against the coronavirus. Also, ensure that you use a fresh disposable mask or a clean reusable cloth mask, washed in an antiseptic like Sanittol. Gloves are also very important, because the virus spreads and latches on to your hands when you touch unknown surfaces. Also, we cannot stress enough to not touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands.

Hand Sanitizer: Sanitize your hands with Hand Sanitizer after roughly every alien surface you happen to touch, in public transport, elevator buttons, door handles and more. Keep it handy in your pocket or purse.

Commuting: As much as possible, try using your own vehicle to commute to work. If that is not possible, then observe social distancing in public transport, do not touch your mask with unclean hands, and use a Hand Sanitizer at regular intervals. Also, if possible use digital form of payments instead of exchanging cash.

Things to remember at the office.

Remember: Do not remove your face covers at any point and do not touch the outer covering of the mask. Avoid using crowded lifts or those with more than 3 people, wait for the next one. Also, if you are using stairs, do not touch the railing. Use a Hand Sanitizer after touching life buttons or unknown surfaces.

Disinfect Work Surfaces: One can never be too cautious when it comes to your health and safety. We recommend keeping a bottle of Micro Sana Disinfectant in your office. Just spray it on your work desk and other surfaces around you and let it air dry. The fast-acting formula kills over 99% of viruses and bacteria that may be on the surface in just a few seconds.

Observe Social Distancing: Ensure your work desk is at least 1 meter away from your colleague. Do not form groups or sit together over a cup of tea or coffee, remember face masks and face coverings are only preventive methods and not a foolproof solution. Keep disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer handy and avoiding shaking hands. The golden rule should be to avoid coming in contact with people as much as possible and ensuring hygiene and sanitization at all levels.

Virtual Meetings: As much as possible, internal as well as client meetings should still be conducted via video conferencing. But, meetings at the office are sometimes unavoidable. In such a case no more than 5 people should be present at one time in a conference room, and everyone must sit at least 1 to 2 meters apart.

Hand Soap & Hand Towel: If possible carry your own hand soap to avoid touching unknown soap dispensers in office. You can carry our Shatha Antibacterial Liquid Hand soap in a small bottle and use it to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds regularly throughout the day. This helps to reduce the risk of infection and contamination and also ensures better sanitation. The Shatha formula contains special hand protecting agents, to keep your hands soft and supple.

Washroom Etiquette: The washroom is a shared space with many unknown people using it, which is why it is all the more important to be extra cautious. We recommend disinfecting the seat with Micro Sana spray before using it. Also, ensure you wash your hands with an antibacterial hand wash like Shatha Liquid soap. Then, sanitize your hands with Hand Sanitizer after touching door knobs etc, before getting back to your desk.

Lunch & Tableware: In times like these it is best not to use shared plates, spoons, glasses & mugs from your office pantry. Make sure you carry your own items to avoid the risk of infection.

What to do after you get back home

A lot of us have young kids and elderly people living at home with us, they are more prone to catching the coronavirus. Here are a few helpful things you should do to keep yourself and your family safe.

Isolate & Disinfect Items: Remove your shoes & socks at the door, do not walk in with dirty shoes from outside. Keep your bag, keys, phone and other items in a separate space where they cannot cross contaminate. Spray Micro Sana Surface Disinfectant on items like keys, bangs and more, which can harbor viruses for well over 24 hours.

Wash & Disinfect: Put your clothes straight to wash. We recommend washing your clothes with Sanitex to remove all traces of dirt and then soak them in a solution of water and Sanittol Disinfectant to kill any viruses and bacteria that may be on the surface.

Shower: Take a shower and wash yourself thoroughly to avoid all possible traces of bodily contamination. We also recommend you take a last rise with a solution of 2 capfuls of Sanittol Disinfectant in a bucket of water and wash yourself with it. This will ensure you are free from all possible viruses and bacteria.

Your safety is in your own hands, and keeping yourself Covid-19 free depends on how well you follow these safety guidelines. We are all together in this ‘new normal’ life, and we should all observe best practices to get our lives back on track. Al Sanea Chemical Products has everything you need to keep your safety and health in check, so you live life a little more stress-free. Together we can make getting back to work safe again.