The COVID-19 pandemic has stopped most businesses with the strict guideline of social distancing and staying at home, thus many have lost their livelihood. Those companies that are still open are now left with the responsibility to protect their workers by providing them with medical protection from the disease.
How did the Pandemic Impact the Shops and Restaurants
Governments around the world implemented strict quarantine guidelines: stay at home, wear a mask, keep your hands clean, and keep a six-feet distance from people. The long hiatus of quarantine has forced many businesses to close down, some for good, due to the uncertainty of the situation.
Some of the companies that are left are now faced with struggling to keep afloat. Their employees now have reduced shifts or a pay cut to keep up with the finances. Many of these shops run on a skeletal workforce and in fewer work hours.
Many establishments had to let go a fraction or most of their workers. Both the employed and unemployed struggle to pay rent or mortgage on time from budget cuts or a lack thereof.
What Measures did Companies Use to Fight the Pandemic
Employees are required to undergo multiple screening and monitoring throughout working. They must be pre-screened where it is checked if they present any symptoms. On-site screening at the workplace checks their temperature. If they pass, their health is regularly monitored by supervisors.
Groceries and restaurants offer pick-up and delivery services to let their customers stay at home to enjoy their food. They also push for customers to order take-outs than to dine in. Some stores have begun to integrate into online shopping, making it much more convenient for customers to order.
Some restaurants reduced their seating capacity to decrease the risk of spreading COVID-19, while they must provide medical PPE equipment to workers. Some states also have mandatory face mask-wearing in their establishments. There has also been a recommendation on outdoor dining if the weather is fair enough to permit it. The staff must always observe a six-feet distance from customers.
Physical barriers like acrylic partitions on tables reduce the transmission of droplets between customers. Restaurants have started integrating their menus and paying methods to digital means through applications. This is to ensure contactless transactions.
There have been strict implementations of cleaning and sanitising work areas regularly, and to always keep hands clean with soap and water or alcohol when the former is not available. Some establishments encourage using hand sanitisers by placing them in multiple locations.
Any worker that has been exposed to a person with the disease or is showing symptoms is encouraged to quarantine themselves in their home and get tested. If they do test positive, they must contact their supervisor immediately and have them monitor the well-being of the other staff.
What Medical Supplies Should Companies Provide to Workers
Companies, by law, are required to protect their workers from recognised hazards in the workplace, and these are the supplies they need:
Disposable Gloves
Gloves are the easiest way to keep hands clean. This does not mean that one should not wash their hands before or after wearing gloves.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using these gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces touched by patrons, handling of used items, and disposing of trash. This is also used to prevent the user from touching their face.
Face Masks
The CDC recommends using masks to decrease the spread of COVID-19. All of the staff must observe the strict wearing of cloth masks. The CDC states that these masks are used to protect other people just in case the wearer is infected.
Employees are instructed to avoid touching these face masks once they are on. They must wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after touching their face masks.
Face Shields
COVID-19 is transmissible by person-to-person droplet spread. Using a face shield mask decreases the chances of infection by exposure. Combination of both face masks and face shield already lower the risk of contracting the disease.
Conclusion
COVID-19 can be suppressed when we wear protective equipment like face masks and keeping our hands clean, and maintaining six-feet of social distance. Companies must do their part in protecting their workers from exposure to COVID-19. The easiest way to decrease this risk is by utilising protective medical supplies like disposable gloves, face masks, and face shields.
