ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry has issued the following guidelines for manutfacturing industries that operate amid Coronavirus.
Several activities are still banned and people have been advised to maintain social distance of at least one meter in Sri Lanka.
The National Health Service of the UK and Centres of Disease Control are advising 2 metre distance especially if people are talking.
“All workplaces should identify a suitable focal point (a nursing officer, a safety officer, Human Resource Manager or any officer found to be suitable and responsible for the position) to monitor the control activities implemented against COVID-19 infection and to provide necessary guidance in case of queries,” the health ministry said.
“A specific isolation room preferably with an attached bathroom/toilet has to be identified in the workplace in advance, to transfer workers suspected of having COVID-19 infection.
“It should be one that can be disinfected when necessary.
“Businesses and employers, in particular, have a major role to play to keep workplaces safe if we are to stop the spread of this disease as workplaces are frequented by a large number of people.”
Manufacturing Industries
Following measures are to be adopted in addition to the general measures described in section 3 above. This part of the document outlines the measures to be followed at factories, to prevent/ control the spread of COVID-19 infection and to promote the health of the public.
Restructuring the workplace
1. Management should review policies and practices, such as limiting operations to essential processes and flexible work hours and office arrangements to maintain the required physical distance at the factory.
2. Establish alternate days or extra shifts that reduce the total number of employees in a work place at a given time, allowing them to maintain distance from one another.
3. Work settings should be arranged in such a way to keep a distance of one meter between workers.
General guidelines for all industries
Following categories of workers should not report for work
• Those having fever, with or without acute onset respiratory symptoms such as cough,
runny nose, sore throat and/or shortness of breath.
• Those who have had contact with suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 for the
last 14 days.
• Those who are quarantined for COVID-19.
The employer should ensure that if a sick person reports for work, he/she is sent
back home immediately.
Follow the steps mentioned in section 3.6 below if that individual is suspected of having COVID-19 infection.
Anyone entering the premises (both visitors and staff ) should wash their hands with soap
and water before entering. (Foot operated tap is the best for the wash basin). Alternatively
hand rubbing with alcohol based hand rub (minimum 70% v/v Alcohol) can be adopted.
Disinfecting chambers are not recommended.
Use the hand sanitizer after using the finger print scanner. Finger print scanner shall be
disinfected before and after each shift.
Additional optional measures are to have a foot bath (with 0.1% Sodium hypochlorite
solution) at the entrance or remove shoes at the entrance and provide a separate set of
shoes to be used inside the premises.
Check temperatures of all the staff at the time of entrance to the workplace and any person recording a temperature above 98.4 0 F or 37 0 C should be re-checked after 10-15 minutes of rest and if positive for second time sent him/her back.
Thermal scanner has to be of Medical grade.
Keep a distance of one meter between workers at all times (while working, meetings, canteens etc.)
All workers shall wear masks properly while on duty. They should refrain from touching
the mask or their faces, while wearing it.
After removing the mask, it has to be discarded into a pedal operated closed bin and hands should be washed subsequently. There should be minimal handling of the mask when removing.
Avoid touching the face at all times. Encourage respiratory etiquette, including
covering coughs and sneezes. Coughs and sneezes have to be covered by the inner side
of elbow or sleeve.
In a situation where this is not possible a tissue can be used to cover the nose/ mouth, provided the tissue is discarded into a closed bin and hands washed thereafter.
Discourage workers from using other workers’ mobile phones, pens and other common
telephones, fax machines, desks, or other work tools and equipment, whenever possible.
If any object has been shared it must be cleaned with soap and water or with minimum 70% v/v alcohol based sanitizer.
Advise staff to minimize direct verbal communication between co-workers and use
alternative methods (Public address system, intercom etc.) to provide instructions to
workers and staff members.
Doors should be kept open between sections to reduce unnecessary handling by the workers.
Discourage workers from shaking hands/ hugging and adopt other non-touch
techniques of greeting.
Encourage workers to maintain good personal health and hygiene by practicing the
following.
• A balanced diet
• Drinking adequate amounts of clean water
• Regular physical exercise
• Abstain from unhealthy habits such as smoking and consuming alcohol
3.3 Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
Maintain regular housekeeping practices, including routine wiping/cleaning and
disinfecting of surfaces, equipment, and other items in the work environment.
After cleaning by damp dusting/wet mopping or washing with soap and water or a generalpurpose detergent,
Prohibited activities
The following places or situations are prohibited till COVID-19 outbreak is fully controlled as gathering of people/ children in close proximity to each other would promote spread of COVID -19 virus.
1. Large gatherings in enclosed spaces Eg: cinema, private tuition classes conventions etc.
2. Adventure parks for children.
3. Night clubs, casinos and betting centres
4. Gatherings in religious places
In countries that are successfully battling Coronavirus, spas, massage parlours, gyms and beauty salons are closed.
For more information
For further information on guideline please Lakshman Gamlath Deputy Director General (E,OH &FS) on 0717723232 or ltgamlath@gmail.com.
For information regarding COVID-19 infection please contact;
• The Ministry of Health hotline, available 24 hours – 94 113 071 073
• Website Ministry of health- health,gov.lk
• The Government media unit hotline – 117
• SuwaSariya Health line – 94 710 107 107
• Medical Officer of Health of the area
• Epidemiology unit, Ministry of Health http://www.epid.gov.lk