With COVID-19 sweeping across the globe, you're likely wondering what you need to do to keep your office safe and ensure your team's wellness. We've gathered a list of helpful tips from the CDC. Read on for info on social distancing, COVID-19 hygiene etiquette, and cleaning guidelines in the workplace.

What is Social Distancing and why does it matter?

The CDC defines Social Distancing as "avoiding large gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible (e.g., breakrooms and cafeterias)."

We know COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets. Maintaining a safe distance from others in your workspace reduces the potential for infection by reducing transmission of those respiratory droplets. 

The CDC recommends the following Social Distancing business strategies:

• Implementing flexible worksites (e.g., telework)
• Implementing flexible work hours (e.g., staggered shifts)
• Increasing physical space between employees at the worksite
• Increasing physical space between employees and customers (e.g., drive through, partitions)
• Implementing flexible meeting and travel options (e.g., postpone non-essential meetings or events)
• Downsizing operations
• Delivering services remotely (e.g. phone, video, or web)
• Delivering products through curbside pick-up or delivery

What can you do to keep your office clean and healthy? 

The best way to keep your office clean during COVID-19 is to regularly disinfect, encourage frequent hand-washing and hand sanitizer use, discourage handshaking, employ the use of masks and gloves when needed, and increase ventilation. 

The CDC recommends the following guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting your workplace:

• Routinely clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, and doorknobs.
• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• For disinfection, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective. A list of products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 is available on CDC's website. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
• Discourage workers from using other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment, when possible. If necessary, clean and disinfect them before and after use.
• Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks, other work tools and equipment) can be wiped down by employees before each use. To disinfect, use products that meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-Cov-2,, the cause of COVID-19, and are appropriate for the surface.

By following these guidelines, you can empower you business to stay happy and healthy.

*Please note, we always recommend adhering to any additional COVID-19 guidelines issued by your individual state or country.*

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html