Ever since the Covid-19 outbreak started last year, life, as we know it, has changed completely. Everyone had to adjust to the new rules and regulations put in place by the government to help stop the spread of the virus and adapt to the “new normal.” Some people are lucky as they have been able to limit the number of times they leave their homes, but this is not possible for everyone. If you can’t work from home, try these 6 useful tips to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 while at the office.

 

Wear A Mask at All Times

 

It’s important to wear a mask at all times. They don’t just keep you safe, they protect others as well. Make sure it covers your mouth and nose, and keep it secured under your chin. It should fit firmly against the sides of your face and not have any large gaps when you loop it around your ears or tie it behind your head. If you don’t drive yourself to work, wear your mask while commuting to and from the office. In some countries like the United States, masks are mandatory if you want to use any form of public transportation.

 

Keep Hand Sanitizer at Your Desk

 

Since you’re working with other people around, you should keep a bottle of hand sanitizer at your desk so you can use it anytime you come into contact with other people or the things they’ve touched. Disinfect your hands if you have to use communal objects like filing cabinets or copy machines. You use your hands to eat and drink, and studies show people touch their faces as often as 23 times an hour. It’s important to make sure your hands are as clean as possible. The most common way by which people can contract Covid-19 is by touching their face after coming into contact with an infected person or surface.

 

Clean and Disinfect Your Desk and Work Items

 

Use sanitizer or disinfectant wipes to clean everything you touch during the workday. This includes your desk, smartphone, computer, or laptop, as well as any items like pens or staplers. This is especially important if you have to share any of these with other people. Try to limit this as much as possible, but as there will be times when it’s unavoidable, make sure to disinfect everything before and after somebody else has touched it. You can also use devices like air purifiers or UVC lamps, as recommended by the creators of Healthy Sole PLUS, to help kill the pathogens around you. The Covid-19 virus can survive for anywhere between 4 hours to 3 days on various surfaces, so keeping them clean is paramount to stay healthy.

 

Don’t Shake Hands

 

While it may seem rude, you should avoid shaking hands with anyone at work. Skin-to-skin contact can transfer the virus, and being close enough to someone to shake their hands increases the risk. Your coworkers, clients, and boss will definitely understand since they’re going through the same thing as you. Find other ways to greet people, like giving a smile and a nod, waving or coming up with another office-wide hand gesture, and giving a bow. As the world becomes more accustomed to living with Covid-19, these things will become just as socially acceptable as shaking hands.

 

Wash Your Hands More Frequently

 

While hand sanitizer is useful when you’re busy and can’t get to a sink, it’s still preferable to properly wash your hands to ensure they’re clean. Scrub them with soap and water for at least twenty seconds. You need to wash your hands instead of using a sanitizer when preparing or eating food, after coughing or sneezing, using the restroom, and handling your mask. Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth when you haven’t gotten a chance to wash your hands after touching a potentially infected surface.

 

Social Distance As Much As Possible

 

This might be difficult to do in an office setting, but it’s important to follow proper social distancing protocols as much as you can. This means remaining in your office or cubicle whenever possible and avoiding congregations of people. If you can attend meetings virtually, it’s best to do so. Eat your lunch at your desk instead of in a lunchroom or a cafeteria, and remember to wash your hands beforehand. When using the elevator, try not to board the car if there are too many people inside.

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to change the way we think about the little things we seldom paid attention to throughout our day. Keeping yourself and others safe from infection can be as simple as washing your hands or not standing too close to them. Remember these useful tips while at work, and you’ll help prevent the virus from spreading.