Vietnam’s Health Ministry Issues Guidance to Fight COVID-19 in the Workplace

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Due to the unpredictable and complicated nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam’s Health Ministry has put in place various initiatives to combat the spread of the disease. These measures have grown more stringent over time and are expected to change from time to time.

Compared to its neighboring countries, Vietnam has done a great job in weathering the Covid-19 pandemic, enabling them to reopen its economy ahead of several countries. Several companies in Vietnam have now resumed its operations and employees have gone back to work. But to ensure that employees and businesses remain safe, the Health Ministry has created specific guidelines for everyone in the workplace to follow.

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Guidelines To Ensure a Safe Work Environment

All companies in Vietnam are required to follow the guidelines that the Health Ministry has issued to ensure a safer environment for everyone. These guidelines aim to minimize and prevent the spread of the Covid-19 disease in order to keep workers safe and ensure that business operations will not be affected. Here are the guidelines:

👉 Routine Cleaning of Public Surfaces

The guidelines stated that frequently used surfaces must be kept clean at all times. This especially applies to surfaces that are touched repeatedly by different employees in the workplace, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, countertops, computer keyboards, and other machines and equipment that are used by many people.

👉 Use of Cleaning Agents or Disinfectants

When cleaning workplaces, common cleaning agents or disinfectants can be used. These cleaning products should contain about 0.05% chlorine concentration or about 60% of alcohol. They should be able to effectively kill bacteria and viruses in the workplace. Before disinfection, dirty surfaces must first be cleaned using a combination of soap and water.

👉 Certain Areas Must Be Disinfected Once a Day

In order to effectively minimize and prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace, certain areas must be cleaned and disinfected once a day. These include furniture, walls, floors, toilets, workshops, and other surfaces that are for public use.

👉 Commonly Used Surfaces Must Be Disinfected Twice

Other areas in the workplace must be disinfected twice a day. These include keyboards, doorknobs, desks, remote controls, elevator buttons, handrails, electric switches, telephones, etc.

👉 Windows Must Be Opened

To allow the circulation of air, windows and doors must be opened as much as possible. This applies to the workplace and vehicles that are used in transporting employees. If possible, the use of air conditioners must be avoided. According to the World Health Organization, proper ventilation is a key factor in minimizing the spread of Covid-19 indoors.

👉 Trash Bins Must Be Covered

The Health Ministry has also required all workplaces to place covered bins for trash and to make sure that all waste materials are collected and disposed of on a daily basis. Proper disposal of trash must be followed to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease.

👉 Implement Good Personal Hygiene Measures

At the workplace, all employees must adhere to proper personal hygiene measures to minimize the spread of Covid-19 and successfully fight off the epidemic. Proper personal hygiene measures include frequent washing of hands using soap and water. This should be done for at least 30 seconds. In case there’s no available soap and water, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer must be used.

👉 Employees Showing Symptoms Must Stay At Home

Employees who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 diseases, such as fever, dry cough, and tiredness should be advised to stay at home. They must immediately notify their supervisor the moment they notice that they are sick. Sick employees should isolate themselves at home in a separate room. They have to wear a mask and avoid close contact with other people.

👉 Cover Nose and Mouth When Coughing

When coughing or sneezing, all employees should use a tissue to cover their mouth and nose. This is to avoid spreading the virus, just in case they turn out positive of the Covid-19 disease.

👉 Notify the Ministry of Health for Sick Employees

Companies are also encouraged to notify the Ministry of Health if any of their employees are sick, especially if they are showing symptoms of the Covid-19 disease. This is for proper monitoring. Sick employees should consider visiting the nearest healthcare facility for proper examination and treatment.

Conclusion

Resuming business operations in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic is not easy. There are lots of rules and regulations that must be followed. But companies should understand that these guidelines were implemented by Vietnam’s Health Ministry in order to ensure the safety of everyone. Managers and business owners should be responsible for reinforcing these guidelines and remind employees to always adhere to the rules and regulations. They must work with the government to ensure that companies in Vietnam remain safe and will be free from Covid-19 disease.