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Submitted by Dr S. Patel on 18 June 2020

While all of us have now gotten accustomed to working from home, returning to office is inevitable. However, this will come with its own set of challenges. Let’s look at what precautions one can take to ease this process and stay safe.

Travel to work: If you are using public transport such as a bus or train, keep your mask on at all times, avoid touching your face and surfaces around you and follow social distancing norms. Wearing gloves is a good choice. Don't touch your face during the journey.

It would be best to drive yourself to work in your own vehicle. If you must use a taxi or have your driver driving, sit in the back seat and make sure you both wear a mask inside the car. You may also ask you driver to keep gloves on while driving. Avoid car and taxi pools. 

In case of public transport, ensure mask is in place and as far as possible, maintain safe distance. 

Entering offices: As you enter your office, avoid using crowded lifts and elevators. Wash or sanitize your hands, briefcase, bag and phone as soon as you sit at your desk. Wipe your computer, stationery and desk down with a wet anti-bacterial wipe. Plastic covers for keyboards are a good idea to prevent wet sanitization of the keys. Keep your personal documents and valuables in locked drawers or cabinets when you leave work everyday. Use automated doors wherever possible to avoid touching door handles.

Office interactions: Follow safe distancing rules all through the office. A minimum distance of 1 meter should always be maintained between employees . Most offices are operating at 33 or 50% capacity currently. You may also notice partitions being set up or cubic walls being elongated.

Meetings: Face-to-face client or staff meetings are to be scheduled on a need-to basis. Video or online calls are widely acceptable ways to communicate. If there is a group meeting, use an open space or large room, keep windows and doors open as air-conditioning should not be switched on. People should always be seated two seats apart and wearing masks . Refrain from serving food and beverages at meetings. Eating and drinking generates aerosols and requires mask to be taken off. 

Lunch Break: It would be ideal to sit at your own desk and eat your home tiffin. Social lunches must be avoided. If you eat at a canteen, make sure the tables are 6 feet apart and seat just one per table. Please wash hands before and after every meal. All beverages (hot and cold such as tea and coffee) must be served in disposable cups. Put away your customised mugs for now. Carry your own water bottle to work.

Restrooms: Wipe down surfaces with a wet anti-bacterial wipe or spray. Use elbows to turn on the tap and light switches. After washing hands, use hand dryer and take a tissue to touch the door handle. If all employees follow the same hygiene protocols, the risk of spread in the restroom would be minimised.

Common areas: Avoid congregating at common areas such as the kitchen and/or dining room during tea/coffee breaks. People who go out to smoke should maintain distance and not share cigarettes, lighters, matches, chewing gum etc. Check the queue on the printer and copy machine before going to pick up your prints or make copies.

Isolation rooms: Create a few or at least one isolation room where an employee who shows any signs or is feeling unwell can be moved to. Keep a directory of Emergency Medical contact numbers to call and seek guidance if an employee is unwell. While interacting with any sick employee, make sure you wear gloves. Latex Gloves, visors/face shields and masks should be part of the First Aid Medical kit.

Mask Guidelines:

  • Remember to keep your mask on at all times while at office or outdoors. Remove mask only while eating or drinking.
  • When you take off your mask, keep it carefully in a ziploc bag  
  • The mask should be big enough to cover your nose, mouth and entire chin area. Even if you are wearing a visor or face shield, you must still wear a mask.
  • Do not wear a too tight or a loose mask, it should fit right and allow you to breathe comfortably.
  • Buy masks that are suitable to your weather and maintain all safety standards.
  • Types of masks available:
    • 3 ply surgical masks that are disposable.
    • 3 layer fabric masks that are washable. Most apt for hot weather.
    • 5 layers masks that are reusable. Thicker are good for cold climates. 
    • Respirators such as the N95s and FFP2/3s which are meant for healthcare professionals only.
  • Masks with elastic ear loops are easy to wear and remove. Masks should be handled by holding just these ear loops.
  • Avoid touching your face and mask. Adjust it when you first put it on so you don’t have to keep doing it. Do not touch the front of the mask.
  • Wash or sanitise your hands before and after removing your mask.
  • If you are getting rash, itch or redness with your mask. Replace your mask more frequently and put it for wash after every few hours. This helps if you sweat a lot. Applying talcum or prickly heat power before wearing the mask to absorb the sweat. Invest in cotton masks which are less harsh on the skin. Aloe vera gel can help provide relief from any redness and itching.
  • Wash masks in hot water with soap or detergent after every use.
  • Always have a spare mask on you (kept in a ziplock or cloth bag)in case you need to change or replace the one you are wearing.
  • Do not share masks!