From BLESSING OKEZIE, Lagos
As members of business community reopen operations after a long period of lockdown observed in response to federal government’s directive on ways of cutting down the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has spelt out operational protocol to be followed by its members in their business premises to avoid further spread of the virus.
MAN, in a letter titled ‘Resumption of Operations, Post COVID-19 Lockdown’, signed by its Acting Director General, Mr Ambrose Oruche, to its members, said these protocol are in line with measures put in place by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for the work place and personnel during this trying period.
“As you prepare to resume operations, it is pertinent that we highlight some protocol that the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has put in place for the workplace and personnel during this trying period.
“The NCDC has outlined the following measures to ensure employers and employees take individual and collective responsibility for reducing the risk of the coronavirus disease spreading. Members are encouraged to join this campaign by developing key messaging around the following thematic areas;
“Wash your hands frequently with soap under running water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer
“Use of face mask should be made compulsory at the workplace; Cough/sneeze into tissue and dispose properly or cough/sneeze into your elbow, avoid large gatherings and physical contact, clean all surfaces frequently with disinfectants, get information only from official sources.
“If you return from international travel, self-isolate for 14 days and if you develop symptoms, call NCDC’s toll free number: 080097000010 .
Advising its members on how employers should reduce the risk of spread of the virus, Oruche in the letter told MAN members that the best way to prevent infection and reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to the virus by following basic hand and respiratory hygiene measures.
“Promote thorough and frequent hand washing, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and make available alcohol sanitizers in office and business premises, especially at all entrances.
· “Employees should wash their hands before leaving home and on arrival at their place of employment. Also, after using the toilet, before food preparation and before eating any food, including snacks. Likewise before leaving their place of employment .
“Encourage employees to cover their nose and mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing. Used tissue should immediately be disposed in a covered bin followed by washing of hands. Alternatively, sneeze or cough into a bent elbow if no tissue is available. Ensure provision of covered bins in office and business premises.”
Other preventive measures spelt out by MAN include: avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands to avoid transfer of the virus from surfaces, into eye, mouth or nose
· Use of face mask should be made compulsory for all staff· Display signage in office or business premises reminding staff and visitors to maintain good and respiratory hygiene
· Employees who feel unwell should stay at home and should not attend any public gatherings. If symptoms akin to COVID-19 develop, call NCDC on 0800 970 00010.
· Office and business premises should be cleaned and disinfected daily, especially frequently touched surfaces like tables, door handles, countertops, computers, light and air condi oner switches
· Employees who have returned from outside the country in the last 14 days must self- isolate whether they have symptoms or not. This includes avoiding going to work for 14 days a er they le the country with ongoing transmission
On what employers and businesses should do to protect the health and safety of staff, MAN recommended that member-companies should develop an infectious disease preparedness action plan to reduce the risk of exposure in the workplace and communicate it to all staff members.
Ensure the contact details and emergency contact details of all staff members is kept up to date and is always easily accessible.
Ensure that staff members know how to spot the symptoms of coronavirus and they have a clear understanding of what to do if they feel unwell
· Provide handwashing facilites and ensure employees have access to water and soap, also ensuring the working environment is kept clean as well as encourage employers to develop policies and practices that enable staff to work more flexibly and remotely e.g. working from home
It further said employers should develop social distancing strategies to safeguard the health and safety of employees whose role requires face-to-face interactions with customers
· Discourage the sharing of work equipment, tools, computers, phones and desks
· Employers should limit face-to-face meetngs with clients, but promote the use of meeting technology support systems like Zoom, Skype in conducting business meetings virtually and remotely.
It also said employers need to stay abreast of guidelines and recommendations from federal and state health authorities, regarding changes in national directives as a result of the changing transition of coronavirus locally and natihhonally.
On what to do if a staff of an organisation gets in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19,
MAN first defined contact to include any staff member in close face-to-face or touching contact including those undertaking small group work (within 2 metres of the case)
Talking with or being coughed on for any length of time while the individual is symptomatic
Anyone who has cleaned up any bodily fluids of the individual close friendship groups
They should be asked to self-isolate at home for 14 days from the last meeting they had contact with the confirmed case
· if they develop any symptoms within their 14-day observation period, they should contact NCDC on 0800 9700 0010 or the state ministry of Health’s hotline. If and they test positive for COVID-19 they will become a confirmed case and will be treated for the infection.
MAN told its members that in developing these strategies towards safeguarding the health and wellbeing of staff, they should endeavour to adopt measures as they evolve in managing the pandemic.
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