Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 at your Workplace
On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern.” On January 31, 2020, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency (PHE) for the United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to COVID-19.
How COVID-19 spreads
COVID-19 spreads in a similar way to flu. Most persons infected with COVID-19 experience mild symptoms and recover. However, some go on to experience more serious illness and may require hospital care. Risk of serious illness rises with age as well as individuals with weakened immune systems.
Simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace
The measures below will help prevent the spread of infections in your workplace, including colds, flu and stomach bugs. Even if COVID-19 has not arrived in your community, workplaces can reduce lost days due to illness and stop or slow the spread of COVID-19 with preventative measures!
- Make sure your workplaces are clean and hygienic – surfaces and objects such as desks, phones and keyboards need to be wiped with disinfectant regularly. Contamination on surfaces is one of the main ways that COVID-19 spreads.
- Promote regular and thorough handwashing by employees
- Put sanitizing hand rub dispensers in prominent places around the workplace.
- Display posters promoting handwashing
- Promote good respiratory hygiene in the workplace
- Ensure tissues are available for employees, along with bins for hygienic disposal
- Urge staff to remain home if they experience a low-grade fever or mild symptoms of COVID-19
School districts must follow stringent stipulations set forth by the Healthy Schools Act, which defines specific requirements pertaining to the use of pesticides on school sites. This includes disinfectant products. Individuals that have not undergone the Integrated Pest Management Training course are not permitted to handle or apply pesticides!
Please be confident that your trained custodial staff is using extreme caution to create the healthiest environment for both staff and students at your worksite! No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended at this time from the CDC.