The post COVID-19 reality will demand a “new normal” and employers will largely shape how the world of work operates once the pandemic eases.

It’s in this vein that the Ministry of Health has appointed a Committee to work with stakeholders in the business community, to “identify risks at their establishment and develop mitigating strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19”.

At Tuesday’s virtual media conference, Director of Veterinary Public Health, Dr Sayeed Rahaman, gave guidelines on how employers should move forward in charting their new normal.  Some of the recommendations made are:

-Control/stagger work schedules to reduce crowding at the worksite at any given time

-Use dividers or floor markings to continue the practice of social distancing

-Stagger breaks/lunch schedules to limit gathering in groups

-Continue, where possible, virtual meetings among staff

-Provide water stations at job sites so employees can practice proper hygiene frequently

-Provide complimentary hand sanitizer with a minimum content of 65% alcohol

-Encouraging good respiratory hygiene

– Increase janitorial services via a “standard sanitary operating procedure. Workplaces should be routinely cleaned as opposed to “end of the day” cleanup

-Workers who are unwell should be ordered to stay home.