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| NCDC director, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu |
The
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has rolled out additional preventive
measures for individuals, employers and businesses following Federal
Government’s May 4 easing of COVID-19 lockdown in parts of the country.
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General of NCDC, told the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that the new directives resulted
from evolving knowledge of COVID-19 locally and nationally.
Ihekweazu said that these will be applied nationwide to
individuals as well as businesses, employers and employees.
“Mandatory use of non-medical face
mask/covering for all persons and overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am.
“This means that all
movements will be prohibited during this period except for essential services.
“Mandatory provision of hand
washing facilities/sanitisers, Single use latex gloves are discouraged, except
in clinical settings, or if used, they should be disposed of safely after each
single use.
“Restrictions on inter-state
travel except for essential services or transportation of agricultural produce
and other essential goods and extensive temperature checks on entry into the
business premises and other public places.
“Physical distancing of two
metres between people in workplaces and other public places and no large
gatherings of more than 20 people outside the workplace.”
The DG advised employers and businesses to take the following
measures seriously with a view to reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 in
the workplace.
“Provide handwashing facilities/alcohol-based sanitizers –
promote thorough and frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20
second,” he advised.
He said that employers could reduce the risk of spread of virus
by ensuring extensive temperature checks on entry into office and business
premises.
“Mandate the use of
non-medical face mask/covering for all staff at all times. Develop physical
distancing strategies within the office or business environment to safeguard
the health and safety of employees in line with guidelines set out by the NCDC.
“Where staff members have
regular face-to-face contact with customers, ensure they have the necessary
protective equipment to keep them safe and their health protected.
“Develop an infectious
disease preparedness action plan to reduce the risk of exposure in the
workplace and communicate it to all staff members.
“This includes identifying a
central person focused on coordinating COVID-19 matters.
“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 what to do if they feel unwell, mandating unwell employees to
stay at home.
“Display signage in your
office or business premises reminding staff and visitors to maintain good and
respiratory hygiene.
“Discourage the sharing of
work equipment, tools, computers, phones and desks,” he
said.
According to Ihekweazu, employers can also adapt business
practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by developing policies and practices
that enable employees to work more flexibly and remotely.
“Working from home and
leverage technology to arrange virtual meetings with employees and clients.
Ensure adequate space between employees (minimum 2 metres), limiting staff to
about 30 per cent – 50 per cent of the normal workspace capacity.
“Limit customers in the
business premises to about 30 per cent – 50 per cent capacity at any one time.
Decide on the level of staff required to come to work, as the business
re-opens, e.g. support staff, receptionists, catering staff.
“Consider the staggered
re-introduction of staff members into the office, using staff rotas and
flexible work hours or work shifts. Where possible, businesses should provide
transportation for their employees to limit their use of public transport.
“Limit the number of visitors
to your office premises and take advantage of enterprise video conferencing
tools. Put into place flexible workplace policies to respond to staff
absenteeism, with an efficient process to ensure the smooth handover of work
from one staff member to the other when required,” he
stated.
The DG advised businesses to take advantage of delivery
companies to limit their staff movement outside the office.
“If any employee is showing known symptoms of COVID-19, they
should immediately self-isolate in a separate room in the office or business
premises and call the state helpline or contact NCDC on 0800 9700 0010 for
further guidance. While awaiting laboratory test results,” he said.
He said that if there is any suspected case of COVID-19 in any
work place, employers should make sure that staff self-isolate and employers
should carry out a risk assessment to ascertain whether there is a need to
close the office or business premises.
“Employers or businesses may also encourage staff to work from
home until the outcome of test results is known.
“Employers should also continue to ensure basic hygiene advice
is followed, work premises are kept clean and waste is disposed of
appropriately. Once the results are available, business owners will be advised
accordingly,” he explained.
Ihekweazu said that in a case where COVID-19 is confirmed at
workplace, the employers should immediately contact
the state Ministry of Health, which will now contact the workplace to discuss
the case, identify people who have been close contacts of the employee and
advise on further actions or precautions that should be taken.
He said that based on the assessment of the work premises which
would include shutting down temporarily and disinfecting the premises.
Ihekweazu said that employees who were contacts would be asked
to self-isolate for 14 days from the last time they had contact with the
confirmed case.
He noted that employees who were living in a household with a
confirmed case of COVID-19 should also be asked to self-isolate for 14 days
until all members in the household receive a negative test confirmation.
The DG, however said that If they develop known COVID-19
symptoms during the self-isolation period, they should contact their state
helpline or NCDC on 0800 9700 0010.
He said that the definition of a contact includes: “Any staff
member in close face-to-face or touching contact including those undertaking
small group work within 2 metres of the case.”
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