It’s finally time. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have looked forward to the day when they could return to work safely and resume their normal lives. Although the pandemic isn’t over yet, it’s under control enough that people have begun to get a feeling of normalcy again.
However, that kind of thinking could cause you to act recklessly. Just because it’s probably safe to leave your home with proper precautions now doesn’t mean you should take any chances. It’s important to resume your normal life with care and caution, especially when you start returning to work every day.
Fortunately, the steps you should take to protect yourself and others are usually very simple. This article will explain ten things you will need to do to return to work safely after COVID-19. As long as you keep these basic tips in mind, you and those you love will have the best chance at staying safe and healthy.
Keep reading to learn what they are.
- Continue Practicing Social Distancing
Hopefully, you’ve been practicing social distancing by staying six feet apart from people in public since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Although many people have been vaccinated by now and should be at least somewhat protected, it’s a good idea to continue staying six feet apart from others.
The good news is, this shouldn’t be difficult to do. You probably don’t have to stand that close to your coworkers at your job, so keeping six feet between you and everyone else should be simple. Just remember to practice social distancing during your commute and when you’re in public, too.
- Protect Yourself From Germs and other Infectious Microorganisms
We’ve been told that we don’t need to wear masks anymore as long as we’ve been properly vaccinated against COVID-19. However, you should still be mindful of germs and take careful precautions to avoid getting sick.
You might feel more comfortable if you wear a mask in public, even if you don’t have to. This isn’t a bad idea, especially since you can’t be sure who around you has been vaccinated and who hasn’t.
It’s also a good idea to keep disposable gloves and hand sanitizer available. Make sure to wash your hands often, especially when you’re out of the house.
If you are working in a healthcare industry, it is necessary that you take some bloodborne pathogens training as an added learning guide and to protect yourself from being exposed to bloodborne pathogens or other infectious microorganisms.
- Be Considerate of Others
Even if you feel confident that the worst part of the pandemic is behind us and it’s safe to resume a normal lifestyle, you should keep in mind that others might not feel so certain. It’s a good idea to be mindful of others’ feelings as you continue to respond to our post-COVID world.
If you frequently interact with customers or other commuters, some of them might feel more comfortable if you’re wearing a mask and following careful precautions. It’s ultimately up to you how you want to present yourself in public, but you should at least keep others’ feelings in mind.
Be sure to be considerate of other people’s health, too. Don’t encourage anything that might put someone at risk of illness, and try to get your coworkers to be mindful of safe practices as well.
- Avoid Large Crowds
As long as you only regularly spend time with a few people, your risk of getting sick should be fairly low. Diseases spread faster in areas with high concentrations of people and lots of foot traffic, so it’s a good idea to avoid crowds.
This could be as simple as going to the grocery store at quiet times instead of going when everyone else is there. It could also mean walking to work through a more secluded area instead of taking the busy sidewalk. You might also choose to take your lunch break in your office or vehicle instead of going to a busy public area to eat.
- Follow All Guidelines
This goes without saying, but remember to follow any guidelines that are still observed in your area. Different jurisdictions are taking different approaches to combat the virus, and some of them are more strict than others. Be sure to follow whatever rules are being applied for you, whether at a federal, state, or local level.
Your employer will probably have its own rules for you to follow while you’re at work. Make sure you know what these are before you come back in to work, and remember to follow them closely.
- Manage Stress Effectively
No matter what your job is, it’s important to have a plan for coping with COVID stress over time. And that’s never been more true than it is now.
With the pandemic, people have experienced enormous stress in the last year. While life is getting back to normal in many ways, there’s no doubt that some of that stress is going to linger for a while.
There are lots of ways to minimize stress, but you have to apply them consistently and intentionally. It’s too easy to ignore how you’re feeling and simply push yourself nonstop from one day to another. Instead, intentionally take time to relax and do things you enjoy at least once each week.
- Stay Healthy and Active
The best way to keep from getting sick is to have a strong foundation of good health. That means eating well and getting plenty of exercise.
Getting healthy may not sound exciting, but it’s easier than most people think. It can be as simple as making progressively healthier choices at the grocery store and eating at home more.
If you don’t enjoy working out, consider exercising while you do something you do enjoy. Listen to audiobooks or podcasts while you lift weights or watch TV while you’re on the treadmill. It’s a great way to combine relaxation with exercise.
- Consider Getting Counseling
As important as your physical health may be, your mental health is just as significant. In addition to relieving stress, you might want to consider getting counseling, especially if you’ve been severely impacted by the pandemic.
Most people underestimate the impact that stressful circumstances have on them. The COVID-19 pandemic changed almost everyone’s life in some way, and most people still haven’t fully recovered. If you think you could benefit from seeing a counselor a few times per month, don’t hesitate to find one to work with you.
- Don’t Let Your Guard Down
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, it’s dangerous to assume that the pandemic is entirely over and that we’re all safe now. While you definitely shouldn’t spend time consumed in worry, you should also avoid letting your guard down when it comes to taking precautions.
Just because COVID restrictions have been eased doesn’t mean the threat is gone. It’s still just as important as ever to keep clean, avoid germs, and stay healthy.
If enough people follow the existing guidelines successfully, then we could see the end of the pandemic before we know it. Until then, we must continue to be careful.
- Work From Home if You Can
Although many employees are returning to work, it’s still safest to work from home if you can. If that’s an option for you, you may consider asking your supervisor if you can continue working remotely.
That will probably depend on your employer’s remote work policy post-pandemic. You may have work that requires you to be present in person. But most jobs can now be performed long-distance over the internet.
Of course, you may be eager to get back to work so you can feel like a part of society again. While this is understandable, keep in mind that going to a job isn’t the only way to be involved in a community. Try to have an active social life, too, even if it’s just online.
Return to Work Safely After COVID-19 With These Tips
By now, you should understand what you need to do to return to work safely and enjoy a safe work environment for yourself and your coworkers. As you can see, the steps you need to take are mostly quite simple and easy to remember. As long as you follow them, you should feel confident that you’re reasonably safe from COVID-19.
Never allow yourself to get too comfortable, however. Remember that the pandemic isn’t over, so you still have to be cautious. But with workplace safety guidelines like these, we have the best chance of stopping it for good.
