Dr Juno Thomas
Dr Ahmad Mazanderani
In light of level three nation-wide lockdown regulations, many businesses are reopening for the sale of goods and the rendering of services. This means that businesses need to comply with safety standards and protocols set out by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect employees and customers during trade.
More so, the food industry has been permitted to operate for takeaways and online delivery services; prioritising good hygiene will play an important role in preventing COVID-19.
The NICD’s Drs Juno Thomas and Ahmad Mazanderani, in an interview discuss key critical considerations that employers need to administer prior reopening for business and during operation.
Dr Juno Thomas highlights the safe administration of activities by practising good hygiene and engineering controls to minimise transmission such as regularly sanitising frequently touched objects like speed points.
Dr Ahmad Mazanderani highlights the importance of educating employees about the spread of COVID-19 and the necessary preventative measures that can help flatten the curve. Speaking during the interview, Dr Ahmad said: “Employees and customers need to understand that there is no scientific evidence that suggests COVID-19 is spread through food, but rather spreads through infected droplets that contaminate the surfaces and from person-to-person.”
“According to the World Health Organization, there are two general principles for employers, ensure good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene,” said Dr Thomas in her take-home message.
To minimise the spread of COVID-19, daily symptom monitoring of fever, sore throat and shortness of breath will be the new normal for businesses and workplaces. Moreover, proper working procedures which encourage minimum contact between employees and customers, as well as the provision of hand sanitizers and face masks for use at work is critical.
For more information, listen to the full interview below: https://soundcloud.com/national-institute-for-communicable-diseases/interview-with-dr-juno-thomas-and-dr-ahmad-haeri-mazanderani-covid-19-and-the-food-industry-may-2020
