Now the time has arrived to prepare for COVID-19. But the risk is still there. So it is time to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace, manage COVID-19 risk when organizing meetings and events and actively contribute to preventing the spread of COVID – 19 risks while the meeting or the event going on and after the meeting or the event.
Why do employers and organizers need to think about COVID-19?
Organizers of meetings and events need to think about the potential risk from COVID-19 because there is a risk that people attending your meeting or event might unwittingly bring the COVID-19 virus to the meeting so that others might be unknowingly exposed to COVID-19.
Although COVID-19 is a mild disease for most people, it can make some very ill. Around 1 in every 5 people who catch COVID-19 needs hospital treatment. So, simple precautions and planning can make a big difference. Action now will help protect your employees and your business.
Let's see how to manage COVID-19 risks when organizing meetings and events.
BEFORE the meeting or event
Develop and agree on a preparedness plan
Consider about,
Essentiality of a face-to-face meeting or event
Replacement of teleconference or online event or the meeting. Scaling down to fewer people attend.
Pre-order sufficient supplies and materials (tissues and hand sanitizer) for all participants and surgical masks for anyone who develops respiratory symptoms.
Advise participants not to attend the event, if they have any symptoms of COVID – 19 or feel unwell.
Make sure everybody (organizers, participants, caterers, and visitors) at the event provide contact details.
State clearly that their details will be shared with local public health authorities if any participant becomes ill with suspected infectious disease.
Develop and agree on a response plan ( if someone at the meeting becomes ill with symptoms of COVID-19 (dry cough, fever).
Prepare an isolated room for someone who is feeling unwell or has symptoms.
Plan for safely transferring from there to a health facility.
Know what to do if someone tests positive during or just after the meeting
DURING the meeting or event
Provide information or a briefing (orally and in writing), on COVID-19 and the measures, organizers have taken to make the event safe.
Build trust.
Practice ways to say hello without touching.
Encourage regular hand-washing or use of an alcohol rub to all participants at the meeting or event.
Encourage participants to cover the face with the bend of the elbow or tissue if cough or sneeze.
Supply tissues and closed bins for disposal.
Display dispensers of alcohol based hand rub prominently around the venue.
If there is space, arrange seats at least 1 meter apart.
Open windows and doors to make sure the venue is well ventilated.
If anyone starts to feel unwell, follow preparedness plan or call the hotline.
AFTER the meeting
Get the names and contact details of all participants to trace people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 ( if one or more participants become ill shortly after the event. )
If someone at the meeting or event was isolated as a suspected COVID-19 case, participants should be informed and advised to monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days
If the participants develop even a mild cough or fever they should stay at home and self-isolate
Ashinsani Fernando
References
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