Returning to a 'new normal' with COVID-19

  • Published
  • 78th Medical Group Public Health

As Robins Air Force Base began to reopen base facilities earlier this month, they wanted visitors to the installation to keep COVID-19 in mind and that the risk of contracting it is still present. Protecting yourself and others from becoming infected is just as important now as it was before.

Here are some tips to help supervisors, workers and base visitors prevent infection while on base.

Recommendations for Supervisors:

- Establish policies and practices for social distancing, using a distance of approximately six feet. Implement staggered shifts for employees and encourage telework for individuals considered to be at higher risk of serious illness.

- Support respiratory etiquette and proper hand hygiene. Encourage hand hygiene by providing visual aids in restrooms and placing hand sanitizers in multiple locations around the workplace. Discourage handshaking and educate employees on the best way to cover coughs and sneezes.

- Perform routine environmental cleaning and disinfection. Encourage employees to frequently clean their workplace areas and commonly touched surfaces, such as keyboards, telephones, handrails and doorknobs.

Additional guidance can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html.

Visitors play an active role in helping facilities prevent infection.

While visiting recreational facilities, it’s recommended visitors:

- Maintain a social distance of six feet from others.

- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

- If visiting the gym, please disinfect exercise equipment after use.

Additional guidance on visiting parks and recreational facilities can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/visitors.html.

For more information on your own base's response to re-opening the economy in your states, please visit your installation's website for the most up-to-date information or talk to your supervisor.