Lockdowns have lifted and daily-life is gradually setting in. Although freedom is at your doorstep, it now comes at a cost - underlined with guidelines and measures to be strictly followed; and what is increasingly being known as the new norm. With a vaccine still to be discovered, it is a known fact that man will have to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with COVID-19. The risk of exposure can occur anywhere, beginning from travelling to and from work, at the workplace or even during work-related travel. Having said that, you can reduce the chances of being infected by taking simple precautions:

For Personal Care:

• Frequently wash your hands or disinfect with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Ensure you do not touch any potential contaminated surfaces or objects with bare hands. To stay protected, wear gloves or immediately sanitize upon close contact.
• Maintain respiratory hygiene by covering coughs. Ensure you have a mask on at all times, especially when in close proximity with people.
• Maintain a safe distance of a minimum of 1 metre or more.
• Avoid any kind of physical contact with people.

For Managers:

• Carry out regular and rapid risk assessments to determine the possibility of exposures – low, medium or high that employees would need to engage in.
• Ensure you have the necessary resources like personal protective equipment and take preventive measures.
• Safety measures may vary for different work settings, and hence it is essential these be analysed along with every task undertaken or assigned.
• Essential public services such as security, retail, public transport, deliveries, water and sanitation and other frontline workers may be at an increased risk of exposure due to occupational hazards. Ensure you have in place the necessary precautions.