Wear face masks, WFH if cough, flu: Noida’s Covid guidelines

NOIDA: Amid a rise in Covid cases, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Health Department on Thursday issued a set of recommendations that includes practising social distancing and use of face masks at offices, schools, colleges, shopping malls, and hospitals, among other public places.

For workplaces, the guidelines recommend the use of sanitisers, proper cleaning of offices, thermal temperature scanners at office entries, and work-from-home option for employees showing signs of cold, cough, fever, and flu and suggested Covid test for them.

The guidelines came as Gautam Buddh Nagar, adjoining Delhi, registered 114 more positive cases of Covid on Thursday, pushing the tally of active patients across Noida and Greater Noida to 396 -- the highest so far this year -- according to official data.

As of date, of the total, only 15 Covid patients are hospitalised while 69 have recovered since Wednesday. The total samples taken for testing since Wednesday were 1,727, the data showed.

The department said information related to the pandemic can be obtained from the Integrated Covid Command and Control Centre at 1800-419-2211 and the same number can be used to inform about any patient as well.

''A rise in cases of Covid has been noted in the country, including parts of Uttar Pradesh. Keeping that and protection against the infection in mind, it is very important to follow these precautions and Covid protocol," Chief Medical Officer Sunil Kumar Sharma, who issued the guidelines, said.

The guidelines for wearing face masks, practising social distancing, and other Covid protocols are also applicable for schools, colleges, bus stands, depots, railway stations, cinema halls, shopping malls, and cafeterias while offices and institutions have been recommended to ensure sanitisers and thermal scanners at entries.

''People, in general, are suggested to use face masks, practice social distancing and follow Covid protocols at public places, in markets, or other crowded areas. The elderly and the children should avoid visiting crowded places," the guidelines stated.

"People with comorbidities related to kidney, heart, liver, blood, respiratory, diabetes should particularly take caution and avoid going out of homes to the extent possible while using face masks even inside home," according to the guidelines.

It also suggested people to not spit in public places and ensure cleanliness around them while also recommending that they avoid unnecessary physical contact like shaking hands or hugging others.

"In case you come in contact with someone, wash your hands with soap or use alcohol-based sanitiser to clean your hands. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth frequently. Use cover while sneezing or coughing or use a tissue or elbow," it stated.

The guidelines recommended compliance with Covid protocols during events like weddings.

"If anyone in your contact is a Covid positive person, inform about them to the Integrated Covid Command and Control Centre at 1800-419-2211," the CMO said in the guidelines.