The private sector has issued protocols the business and the government should put in place in re-opening the economy to prevent spread of Covid-19.
This followed a meeting Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) held recently with the government through the office of the National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee (NDICCC), chaired by Dr. Fred Matiang’i.
The meeting agreed to consolidate into a white paper, private sector recommendations as government considers easing containment measures it has put in place to contain Covid 19 pandemic.
KEPSA has also issued a document with additional proposals for the already existing standard operating procedures on workplace measures to maintain health and safety of private sector players representing all sectors of the economy.
“The protocols address key challenges of ensuring continuous business operations during COVID while minimizing employee exposure and transmission and guaranteeing labor rights for quarantined employees,” KEPSA document reads in part.
KEPSA listed 26 general standard operating procedures to guide easing of the containment measures cutting across all sectors and covering both large and small enterprises;
In addition to social distancing measures, use of face masks in all public places and other guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO), KEPSA recommends temperature screening at various entry points.
It also recommends accessible handwashing stations or sanitizer dispensers and ensuring constant supply of water on premises at the workplace.
KEPSA also wants businesses to maintain a daily attendance register for all persons that visit their premises to support contact tracing and use bulk SMS, mass email, notice boards, WhatsApp, or video platforms to broadcast messages to staff.
The lobby also recommends cleaning of high-traffic areas, high touch surfaces and equipment as often as possible and ensuring adequate aeration of office premises through open doors, windows, and cleaned ventilators.
There is also need to develop protocols for employees demonstrating symptoms, such as conduct initial infrared temperature test, ensure the employee sits still in isolation in an open space; repeat temperature test after 20 minutes –if the second reading is still high, arrange for the employee to be transported to hospital for a test.
Other measures include immediate reporting and isolating workers or customers exhibiting any symptoms, and any co-workers they came into contact with, as per Ministry of Health guidelines; guarantee paid sick leave for employees who contract the virus in accordance with Kenya labour laws and honour medical coverage for all employees throughout the crisis such as NHIF and other medical insurance policies.
KEPSA further recommends promotion of contactless business by use of digital platforms on transactions moving away from physical contact and provision of an option for supply of products through online platforms for customers to order for home delivery. All Online Delivery Partner riders must have masks on, wash and sanitize as per Ministry of Health guidelines.
Other recommendations include training on hygiene protocols to all staff members and provide information and practices that are in place to prevent the spread of COVID -19; change of uniforms on daily basis and sanitized properly; steam press or heat iron can be used.
Business should also create a team of counselling professionals to deal with mental health issues arising from related matters and the stigma that comes as a result of screening and treatment and digitization of government services to reduce in-person interactions.