The Scientific Research Council has already started to implement the following strategies as it relates to the COVID 19. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Sensitization of staff via emails and the dissemination of information using the Local Area Network.
• The procurement/installation of motion censored hand sanitizers at strategic entrances on the premises.
•  Procure and distribute sanitizers to key areas including Cashiers and other team members interacting with cash and the general public.
• Sanitizing of major entrance points (gates, doors) and frequently used areas will be done twice daily
•  Sensitizing of staff on the effectiveness of the handwashing procedure.
•  Sensitizing of staff to the frequency of cleaning the following tools/equipment:
  • Keyboards
  • Desks
  • Telephones (including mobile devices)
  • Microwave ovens

Actively Encourage Sick Employees to Stay Home:

Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay at home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.

Sensitize strategic partners including Security and Janitorial teams of the importance of sick employees staying home and encourage them to develop non-punitive leave policies.

Do not require a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to work, as healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way.

Maintain a flexible policy that permits employees to stay home to care for a sick family member. We are aware that more employees may need to stay at home to care for sick children or other sick family members than is usual.

Perform Routine Environmental Cleaning:

Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, telephone instruments including mobile devices and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label.

Provision of disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks) can be wiped down by employees before each use.

Additional Measures in Response to Currently Occurring Sporadic Importations of the COVID-19:

Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to the Ministry of Health guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, we will inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by best practice. Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to the Ministry of Health & Wellness guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.