Tips for Social Distancing in the Workplace

Now that COVID-19 is community spread in the United States and other countries, you may be hearing phrases such as “self-quarantine,” “flattening the curve,” and “social distancing.”

What do they mean, and why do they apply to you in the workplace?

Cancelling sports events, cruises, festivals and social gathering of 10 or more people is social distancing. This is important because the Centers for Disease and Control believe that reducing the physical contact between people by 6 feet will drastically reduce the spread of the Coronavirus spreading across our community, our country and most importantly, lessen the chances of you catching COVID-19.

  • Stay at least 6 feet away from coworkers; don’t hug or shake hands.

  • If possible, stagger work schedules to minimize all staff working at one time in one place.

  • Reduce workplace social contacts. Limit in-person meetings, lunch meet-ups, staff meetings and after-work hangouts.

  • Use Webex, teleconferencing and other methods of communication to avoid in-person meetings. No more than 10 people in a room, with ventilation or door/windows open and 6 feet apart from each other.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

  • Use tissues to cover coughs and sneezes, then discard tissue immediately.

  • Clean/disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched often.

  • If you’re sick, contact your supervisor for next steps and stay at home.

Why is this Important?

  • Protect yourself from getting sick.
  • Lesson the number of serious infections of vulnerable patients/staff that enter our clinics.
  • Lessen the burden on potential staffing shortages on our healthcare system.

It is believed that if we all truly practice these social distancing tips, we will help to flatten the curve. Flattening the curve slows the virus down, allowing our health centers and our care team to be able to care for our patients. If we do not practice social distancing we will increase the risk of infection, not only to ourselves, but our families and potentially our patients. If we are sick, we cannot take care of our patients that are sick. Thank you for your cooperation in helping to keep everyone safe.