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In the month of March 2020 many African countries recorded their first COVID-19 patient leading to Governments enforcing certain measures to curb the spread of the virus. These measures included lockdowns, restriction of foreigners to the country, closure of schools and higher learning institutions, cashless transactions, a push for staying home among other restrictions. In Kenya, businesses and companies started practising work-from-home policies as a way of minimising the number of people coming together.
In the last couple of months, most Governments across East Africa have begun easing movement restrictions in an attempt of reviving an ailing economy. Tanzania opened its airspace to international travel on 1st June, on 4th June Uganda started a gradual return of public transport across most of the country and in Kenya the ban of movement in and out of the capital city of Nairobi, the port city of Mombasa and North-eastern Mandera was lifted.
These among other ease of restrictions are some of the difficult choices that the Governments have had to make in order to save the economy. And with this, many employers are bringing their staff back into the office, or at least contemplating doing so.
So, what do we need to consider as we take those first tentative steps back into the office?
It is “impossible” to make the office 100 per cent safe, says Paul Hunter, professor of Medicine at the University of East Anglia. “Organisations could spend millions on preparations and then someone gets the infection from the journey to the office.
In addition, medical experts remain divided over the most basic aspects of the virus that causes Covid-19, from the way it spreads to the length of time it lasts on a desk.
However, all agree there is no single miracle measure that protects the workforce. Instead, there are many that add up to reducing the risk.
Employers need to put in place measures to facilitate a safe return of their employees to the workplace. In most African countries, Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Acts provide for the safety, health and welfare of workers and all persons lawfully present at work places. In Kenya, to guide the safe reopening of workplaces, the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) published a return to work advisory on 29th June 2020. Some of the key measures provided included:
Developing and communicating to all employees a COVID-19 preparedness policy statement that addresses all aspects of COVID-19 and provides for adoption of a new safety and health culture that focuses on prevention and minimization of transmission risks at the workplaces. This includes sensitizing employees on commuting to work with an aim of minimizing the spread of COVID-19.
The guidelines also indicate that all workers would be required to attend a medical examination to get clearance on COVID-19. The medical practitioner would be required to issue certificates of fitness where applicable and any employee confirmed or who has symptoms of COVID-19 will be reported to the identified Ministry of Health institutions for care, quarantine or self-quarantine as may be appropriate. More on DOSH guidelines can be found on the Ministry of Labour site.
In addition to what is laid down by DOSH, employers always need to remember that most of the virus transmission is droplet spread, and it is within 6 feet. Anything that can be done to enclose open areas so people are not sharing air space so much would therefore be essential. In addition, in the new normal, long gone are communal work tables, crammed desks or conference rooms flooded with people. Everything needs to be spread out. If that’s not possible, employers may need to rotate employees to prevent crowding.
Last but not least employers should reinforce the message, “if you’re sick, get tested and don’t come to work”. Now more than ever, “soldiering on” while unwell puts others at risk.
As an employee, you might be wondering how you can protect yourself when working in an offices. Here are a few tips that will help you keep yourself, your colleagues and your family safe.
If you have to take public transport to work, try to keep your distance from other passengers and look for air circulation such as an open window. Also, as much as possible, avoid touching surfaces and wash your hands as soon as you exit the vehicle. If possible, consider walking or riding a bike to work.
Clean your equipment like keyboards, phones and mice regularly, and definitely between each user if desks are shared. You can simply wipe your desk and equipment with a disinfectant spray cleaner.
One of the best protection against the virus is personal hygiene. Washing your hands with soap and water as often as possible for at least 20 seconds offers excellent protection against Covid19. When you can’t wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser instead.
Always maintain a social distance of 1.5m (two arm lengths) from other people to protect yourself from airborne droplets.
Practice good respiratory hygiene by coughing and sneezing into a tissue or the crook of your elbow. This prevents viral particles spreading over surfaces and toward people around you. Wash your hands immediately after.
Always wear a mask when in public places. Interacting without wearing a mask increases your risk of getting infected. However, wearing a mask does not replace the need to practice social distancing.
When you get home, wash your hands, change all your clothes and if possible take a shower before hugging or touching your loved ones.
If you or a family member has an underlying condition that puts you or them at increased risk for severe illness, check with your employer to see if there are policies and practices in place to reduce your risk at work, like telework or modified job responsibilities.
Lastly, if you have any symptoms, don’t go to work. Let your employer know then get tested as soon as possible and stay at home until you receive the results.
Company cultures have seen major disruptions and upheaval during the COVID-19 pandemic. A key challenge for employers and employees as they navigate the transition into this new norm will be how to rebuild strong organizational cultures that incorporate safety and are driven by purpose and values.
About the Author
Jackline Mbugua is a Project coordinator at Afribusiness LLP. AfriBusiness is a Management Consultancy based in Kenya and Uganda that provides consultancy solutions to organizations in various East and Central African Countries.
