4 Important Questions to Ask for a Healthy Reopening

There are several complex and uncertain factors that factor into the reopening of businesses, schools, and churches across the nation and the world at large. Leaders and managers are facing the most difficult decision-making moment in their lives. Most employers who have reopened now can agree to the fact that reopening is a far more complex task than closing ever was. There are various factors that you need to consider for a healthy reopening. The following are crucial questions to ask to ensure a smooth and healthy reopening.

1. Is Your Field Affected?

Unfortunately, everyone has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in one way or another. However, different fields have varying levels of risks attached to the nature of their business. Frontline workers and those that constantly come into contact with carriers face the highest risk of infection. Low-risk fields include those that rarely come into contact with the public or coworkers or have limited contact with sources of the virus. Places of worship have also been reopening over the last few weeks and the leaders should understand the dangers their members might be exposed to and develop a plan to ensure everyone is safe while at the worship centres.

2. What Responsibilities Should You Take to Ensure a Safe Work Environment?

Have you provided the relevant information to your employees, stocked up on sanitisers, soaps, and necessary PPE, and encourage your workforce to observe proper hygienic practices? Knowing what safety measures should be taken is just the beginning. It’s every employer’s responsibility to ensure availability and compliance with both the company and government guidelines. They must address employees’ concerns properly. Encourage your employees and customers to observe proper hygiene including washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, sanitising regularly using 60-75% alcohol-based sanitiser, and always covering their sneezes and coughs into their elbow, tissue paper or handkerchief. They should also observe the 6-feet social distancing rule at all times. You can install queueing barriers in your place of work or worship to help reinforce social distancing in and outside your facility.

3. When Should You Implement These Practices?

You need to incorporate safe and health-focused practices into your normal work routine immediately you return to work. You should maintain the practices that have been successful in preventing the coronavirus from spreading. More and more guidelines are being issued by the government and health bodies that you can use to implement more drastic measures in your workplace or relax some of the policies. Staying up to date enables you to provide the best practices for your workforce and ensure everything is done to keep your work environment healthy.

4. Do You Have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?

An effective EAP is crucial to allow employers to get through different crises and pandemics such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Ensure to update your plan regularly to include the best guidelines and policies to respond to different emergencies. The following information should be included in your plan:

• Location of PPEs and information about their proper use.

• Risk factors in the community and at home that may find their way into the workplace.

• Common places where the virus can be highly spread.

• Common risks for individuals with allergies and autoimmune disorders.