Introduce shifts, work from home to contain spread

Today, when the Covid-19 epidemic is at its peak in the country, loosening the lock-down to increase economic output has become an extraordinary challenge.

Countries around the world are focusing on making the workplace safer and issuing guidelines to help workers return to their jobs. There is a need to work together to protect health and maintain essential services in the workplace.

There are two ways to reduce the number of attendees at any time, either by resorting to shifts or by enabling employees to work from home.

The Union Ministry of Health has clarified through a manual of preventive measures that cover all types of workplaces and places great emphasis on behavior change with some additional requirements for limited spaces such as offices.

There is increasing pressure on the countries to remove the lockout and other strict restrictions imposed due to the worldwide pandemic Covid-19, which has also deepened the possibility of the virus emerging again.

In view of these concerns, the International LabourOrganisation has urged governments to make appropriate arrangements for the prevention of coronavirus at workplaces on 'World Day of Safety and Health at Workplace'.

According to the UN agency, in the absence of control, countries may face the challenge of the rapid emergence of the virus. By adopting necessary measures in time, it is possible to prevent the risk of the second wave of infection at the workplace.

The Ministry of Health has issued new guidelines for workplaces, directing that anyone suspected/confirmed cases should immediately inform the office authorities and dissociate themselves.

Dr. SatyavanSaurabh, Research Scholar in Political Science, University of Delhi, Poet, independent journalist and columnist