Corona Virus Prevention Guide When Returning to work for private sector

Human Resources and Social Development Ministry have issued guidance on COVID-19 and returning to work in the private sector.

Full Guide below:

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Human Resources and Social Development Ministry Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

We return with caution

Administrative and Office Business Protocols for Private Sector?

First

Prior to entering the workplace

1. Self-evaluation of health risks by using the application “Mawid” offered by the Health Ministry for those who show symptoms or are suspected.
2. Not allowing employees who are at risk of infection (as per the definition in annex no. 1) to come to work and to request them to work from home.
3. In the case where there are visitors in the department, masks or something to cover the nose and the mouth must be worn by all visitors. A certain number of visitors should be allowed to enter at any given time according to the size of the area dedicated to visitors (one visitor per each 10 m2). Also, a safe distance should be created between the visitors’ places of seating.

Second

Travelling for Work

1. The social protocols and the transport protocols should be followed.

Third

1. Handshaking is prohibited.
2. The office areas should be reorganised to ensure social distancing between staff and barriers should be used when possible.
3. Separate gates should be used for the staff to enter and leave if possible.
4. The temperature of the staff should be checked and any person whose temperature is above 38 degrees should not be allowed to enter.
5. The “Flexible Working Hours” policy should be applied to all staff (for example: starting work between 7:30 am and 9:30 am if possible).
6. Floor stickers should be used to indicate the safe distance that should be left between the individuals waiting in queues at the entrances and exits.
7. All employees should wear face masks when entering the workplace and they must be used throughout their stay in the communal places of the premises.
8. Moving between different work areas in the office without hand sanitization is prohibited.
9. Cleaning and sanitizing all the vital areas and surfaces and common equipment very well and regularly pursuant to a clear schedule in the sight of everyone (at least once a day).
10. Reducing the capacity of the work area and reorganizing it accordingly (the distance between an employee and another should be between 1.5 and 2 meters).
11. Relying on digital meetings as much as possible and in case where there is a need to attend in person, distancing between individuals should be observed (1.5 and 2 meters).
12. Using paper or personal cups for drinks.
13. Using stairs for going down and different stairs for going up if possible.

Fourth

Communal Areas

1. Implementing the social distancing by using floor stickers and barriers.
2. Closing eating halls, rest areas, and nurseries in the enterprises.
3. Praying on personal mats and wearing face masks during mass prayer while observing distancing between the praying individuals.
4. Allocating an isolation room in the building.
5. Disinfecting communal areas after each use.

Fifth

Reporting

1. The relevant authorities should be notified if the body temperature of an employee is more than (38 degrees) and the said employee should be referred to the health welfare establishment (according to the guidelines of the competent authority).
2. In the situation where there is a COVID-19 positive case, the number 937 should be called and the details of isolating those who were in contact will be left to the health ministry and its protocols.

Sixth

Awareness and implementing the laws

1. Encouraging employees to use the stairs and reduce the use of the lifts when this is possible.
2. Displaying a clear sign at the entrances and communal areas showing the preventative protocols to the staff including standing areas.
3. Appointing a protocol manager to ensure that the set protocols are followed (for example: a manager from the health, safety, and environment department).
4. All employees should be informed about what to expect when they return to the workplace and to train them on that (example: new work practices and safe travelling).

We return with caution

Your health matters to us