india

Updated: Apr 26, 2020 12:22 IST

The Maharashtra government has issued a circular stressing on the importance of social distancing, hygiene and wearing of protection gear, after some of its employees tested positive for coronavirus.

The circular issued by the public health department on Saturday said some government staff involved in the maintenance of essential services in the state have tested positive for the disease.

Employees should wear masks, hand gloves and if necessary, aprons, and ensure that soap, water and hand sanitisers (with at least 60 per cent alcohol) are available at workplaces, it said.

“Wash your hands applying soap and with water for at least 20 seconds before beginning your daily work. Use hand gloves then. Do not touch (your) face, eyes, nose and mouth.

Avoid putting hand gloves in pockets,” the circular said.

The objects which are touched often, like door handles and taps, should be disinfected every two-three hours with a liquid containing one per cent sodium hypochlorite, it said.

There should be a distance of at least one metre between two employees at the workplace, the circular said.

“Use speaker mode while using mobile phone. Avoid contact of mobile phone with face whenever possible,” it said.

“Take bath using soap and water immediately after reaching home if there is no facility to take bath at office or place of duty,” the circular said.

Sanitation, health and police department officials and staff should use personal protection equipment, it said.

“All officials and staff should not use or handle each other’s mobile phones, handkerchiefs, water bottles, glasses, etc,” the circular said.

“All department heads should ensure supply of the personal protection kit, hand gloves, apron, jacket, masks, soap and sanitisers as per requirement,” it added.