Let’s review the facts
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus. Symptoms include fever, coughing, a sore throat, and shortness of breath. The virus can spread from person to person, but good hygiene (i.e. regular handwashing) can prevent infection. If you are concerned you may have COVID-19 seek medical attention.
Guidelines to protect yourself and others
Practise good hygiene by:
- covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
- putting used tissues straight into the bin
- washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet
- using alcohol-based hand sanitisers
- avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- cleaning and disinfecting frequently used surfaces such as benchtops, desks, and doorknobs
- cleaning and disinfecting frequently used objects such as mobile phones, keys, wallets, and work passes
- increasing the amount of fresh air available by opening windows or adjusting the air conditioning
Social distancing and self-isolation
The restrictions, guidelines and rules vary from place to place – keep up to date with these to ensure you follow your local guidelines. They have been put in place to protect us from unnecessary exposure to the virus.
Social Distancing at Work
Proximity to other people
- Stop shaking hands to greet others
- Space out your workstations
- Keep to the 1.5 metre distancing guidelines
- Continue to work from home if you can
Meetings
- Consider cancelling non-essential meetings. If needed, hold meetings via video conferencing or phone call
- Put off large meetings to a later date
- Hold essential meetings outside in the open air if possible
Avoid non-essential travel
- Video conferencing technology is a practical way to replace the need for travel
Promote good hygiene
- Promote good hand, sneeze, and cough hygiene
- Provide alcohol-based hand rub for all staff
- Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that many people touch
- Open windows or adjust air conditioning for more ventilation
Meals and food preparation
- Eat lunch at your desk or outside rather than in the lunchroom
- Limit food handling and sharing of food in the workplace
- Promote strict hygiene among food preparation (canteen) staff and their close contacts
[source: https://www.health.gov.au/]
About the authors
Gordan Stokes
As a Lead Talent Acquisition Consultant at Allegra Consulting, Gordan Stokes has over eleven years of experience in… View profile
