The COVID 19 pandemic has forced most of the people to work from home. But this is a viable option only till the lockdown is in place. What happens after the lockdown ends? When will we get back to work? As we enter stage 4 of the nationwide lockdown, many companies especially in the IT sector are looking to reopen their operations, albeit at 50% capacity.
While the companies are doing all they can to make the workspaces safer for employees, like following staggered timings, changing seating arrangements to ensure social distancing, you can’t help but feel apprehensive getting back to work. After all, it won’t be business as usual. How safe will it be? How can we ensure social distancing at an office? Well, no worries, we have got you covered. Here are five platforms that will help you stay safe at your workplace during the COVID Crisis.
1.HungerBox: Cafeterias are one of the most crowded areas in a corporate premise, maintaining social distancing at a cafeteria without a proper system in place would be extremely difficult. HungerBox, India’s leading institutional food-tech company has unveiled a robust solution based on FSSAI (Food Safety & Standards Authority of India) and WHO guidelines, and the GOI’s AarogyaSetu App to make cafeteria operations ‘COVID-19 safe.’ They have launched a “desk ordering” feature which helps users order the food of their choice at their desks instead of going to the cafeteria. They have also set up food dispensing machines, where employees can get ready to eat food packages. This will ensure food safety and reduce the chances of contamination. HungerBox, through innovative use of technology,will make your lunch break safe and stress-free.
2.HealthifyMe: Healthify has helped many of its users achieve their fitness dreams, but now they have gone one step ahead. To help in the fight against corona, Healthify has launched a handwashing tracker and other immunity building tools. This handwash/sanitize tracker will remind all the users of Healthify to wash their hands every hour. At a workplace we may shake hands unknowingly or touch some things that may carry germs and viruses, this feature will be extremely useful as it will remind you to keep your hands sanitized.
Also at the workplace, we have the habit of roaming around a bit just to get some exercise, but in the current COVID climate it would be unwise to do so. It would be way better if we could just get some exercise sitting in our own places. Healthify suggests many such exercises that will help you stay fit but more importantly stay safe.
3.Google Hangout: This has been an essential tool for most companies during the lockdown and it will continue to be so even after it. To maintain social distancing, it would be better for a meeting to be held on this app, even if all the attendees are present at the office. Better to attend the meeting from the safety of your cubicle, than being cramped up in the conference room and risking transmission.
4.Aarogya Setu: This is an app developed by the Ministry of Electronics and IT to help the citizens of India identify their risk of contracting COVID -19. Aarogya Setu keeps the user informed in case they have crossed paths with someone who has tested positive. Though maintaining social distancing is a must, it may not always be possible at a workplace. It is possible that you may come in contact with a few people. This app will be really helpful here as it will alert you if someone you came in close proximity with, unknowingly, tests positive. The app also gives important instructions about how to self-isolate and what to do if you develop symptoms.
5.Calm : The world is going through a pandemic, at times like these it is not easy to go back to your usual work routine. You feel anxious and worried most of the time because let’s face it, though we are trying to get back to normal life, things still look pretty serious. So, to cope with such a climate it is very important to pay attention to your mental health as well as your physical. Calm is an app that will help you do so. It provides guided meditation that teaches mindfulness, it narrates short stories in a soothing voice to help you calm down. The app also has breathing programs, masterclasses, and relaxing music. So, whenever you feel anxious at work, just take a break, breathe and listen to some calming music on this one.
So no matter when you will be going back to your office, these platforms will definitely help you adjust to the new way of life that we will all soon adapt. Install these for better and safer work life.
