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COVID-19: Ghanaian government directs companies with over 29 staff to have standby nurse

The government of Ghana has directed factories and enterprises with more than 29 workers to get a registered nurse at the workplace.

Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen

This according to the government is to check the spread of COVID-19 at workplaces.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, said companies must dedicate a room at the workplaces as a holding room to immediately quarantine anyone who is suspected to be showing symptoms of COVID-19 and be isolated while making arrangements for evacuation.

Mr Kyeremanten said the measures listed feed into the general safety protocols for easing the restrictions which include the use of face masks by employees, provision of washing stands within working areas, and regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces.

Below are the guidelines

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Social Distancing Protocols:

Company buses and public transport for workers to and from work; Workflow adjustments including staff rotation at the factory and shop floor; and Customer service protocols including floor markings to enforce social distancing protocols.

Sanitary Protocols:

Provision of handwashing stations, with running water and soap; provision of hand sanitisers; and Enhanced regular cleaning and disinfection of regular use surfaces.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing, and other protocols:

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Use of face masks (No Face Mask, No Entry) and gloves for workers who previously did not require protective gear; replacement of safety gear with COVID-19 compliant PPE; and checking of temperature of all employees and customers.

Factories and other industrial processing establishments:

Stop employees with mild cough or low-grade fever from coming to work and seek medical care.

Stagger work schedules by breaking the workforce into shifts. Limit in-house meetings as much as possible and use online conference platforms.

If unavoidable, sitting arrangements should follow social distance protocols. Employers should allow staff to work virtually, if feasible.

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Factories/enterprises with more than twenty-nine (29) employees to provide a registered nurse on site.

Implement anti-stigma policy (No employee should be discriminated against, stigmatised, or sacked because they have tested positive for COVID-19).

Employers must engage the services of experts to provide psychological and emotional support for COVID-19 positive employees and their families.

Employers must ensure workplace confidentiality for employees.

Carry out periodic fumigation of premises, machines and equipment.

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Industries and factories with more than 29 employees must dedicate one room within the factory premises as a holding room to immediately house or quarantine anyone who is suspected to be showing symptoms and signs of COVID-19 and be isolated from others while making arrangements for evacuation.

Follow established evacuation procedures (as outlined in Annex 1) to enable evacuation if a worker becomes sick and has to be evacuated.

Display approved health promotion materials on COVID-19 at vantage points to remind workers to keep to social distancing protocols, wear masks, regularly wash hands, and maintain coughing and sneezing etiquette.

Work canteens must adhere to the protocols and preventive measures outlined in Annex 2.

Enforce a No-handshake, No-hugging, and No-Spitting policy at all times.

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Form a COVID-19 in-house inspection taskforce.

Members should be trained in health promotion and prevention measures, and evacuation protocols.

If a person is confirmed positive for COVID-19, the workplace COVID-19 taskforce must link up with the local health authorities to ensure all contacts are traced, tested, and treated.

Employers must have staff attendance monitoring mechanisms, either electronic or manual.

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