24 April 2020

Opinion piece: Phased lockdown - will our staff be safe?

Submitted by: Moloko Ramashapa
Opinion piece: Phased lockdown - will our staff be safe?

PHASED END OF LOCKDOWN – WILL OUR STAFF BE SAFE? 

Burt Rodrigues, CEO of  Biodx shares his insights into going back to work post lockdown“As we collectively held our breath awaiting President Ramaphosa’s mammoth decision as to whether to release South Africa from its extended lockdown on April 30th, there are questions weighing heavily on government departments, medical institutions and the corporate world. Whilst this period has certainly had an effect on the numbers of reported cases and given us time to put plans in place, are we really ready to go back to work, even in a risk adjusted, phased approach, knowing this pandemic is far from over.

“There is of course a strong likelihood that within a short space of time, we will follow Japan’s Covid19 journey and return to an even longer lockdown. But let’s focus on back to work on April 30th.

“With many companies’ offices housing well over 5,000 employees in one building, often working in close quarters, how do you ensure your staff’s ongoing safety. This is a hefty load to rest on CEO’s shoulders.

“For high risk areas such as hospitals, recent outbreaks of Covid-19 at St. Augustine Hospital and Morningside Mediclinic should sound a deadly warning. No one is safe.

Risks for CEO’s

“Should your staff return and just one is diagnosed with Covid-19 you’ll be back to square one and possibly worse, having to not only clear your building and get it thoroughly deep cleaned and thoroughly disinfected, but lose valuable work hours during this time.

“Your staff may still fear contracting the virus not only for themselves but to pass it on to their loved ones at home. You need to make them feel 100% safe.

Risks for employees

“Everyone in an organisation is at risk from the top executives and management levels who spend large parts of their days huddled around boardroom tables, to cleaning staff, whose job has doubled, spending their days disinfecting everything from door handles to window seals, light switches, telephones, computers, teacups and fridge handles.

Solutions

“This is a time for real leadership where effective, safe plans are made and more importantly carried out correctly. Questions that need to be asked and answered are:

  • Many of your staff will travel to work on public transport.
  • What precautions will you have in place as they enter the building?
  • Will your offices/hospital/warehouse be ready for business and SAFE on the 1st May?
  • Are you staff sufficiently trained to regularly disinfect their workspaces and themselves?
  • Are your current sanitising and surface disinfecting products certified and legitimately able to combat Covid-19?
  • Are there enough supplies available?Will your cleaning staff be properly trained on how to use the disinfectants & sanitisers, protecting themselves and your employees?

”We’re interested in your feedback. What constructive suggestions, recommendations or concerns do you have for business leaders to address? 

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About Biodx

Biodx is on a journey to reduce society’s dependence on synthetic chemicals. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, we’re breaking boundaries, crossing new frontiers, and helping to evolve the future of disinfection. All towards enabling a better world. 

With technical support from the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) as well as financial support from TIA (Technology Innovation Agency) and IDC (Industrial Development Corporation), we’ve spent the last 15 years researching and developing cutting edge antimicrobial and antiviral technologies.

 Using a natural citrus extract stabilised with an organic biodegradable compound, which contains no chlorine, ethanol or aldehydes. Non-corrosive and earth friendly, the formulation, called DECONT-X™, rapidly kills 99.9% of many bacteria species and viruses. 

Substantiated by NRCS and SABS SANS (636, 1853, 1828) certified, DECONTX ™ is formulated into microdx™, vitrodx®, agridx® and indusdx®, which offer revolutionary solutions for the medical and pharmaceutical industry, the food and beverage industry, the agricultural industry and the manufacturing industry respectively.

 Biodx applied for EU BPR registration and subsequently had products submitted for testing and verification to stringent EU NEN standards in the Netherlands.

 Biodx conforms to the above standards.

 https://biodx.co

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Issued By: The Lime Envelope
On Behalf Of:Biodx
For Media Information: Kerry Oliver
Telephone:011 467 9233 / 082 927 9470
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