Due to the relative success of the quarantine restrictions the government has put in place return to work protocols

Return to work induction training is mandatory: “Employers will provide COVID-19 induction training for all workers” – Section A part 2

Employers must:

• Implement a pre-return to Covid-19 questionnaire.
• Provide an induction training for all workers.
• Put in place of the necessary controls
• Implement temperature testing in line with Public Health advice.

Employees must:

• Complete and return the pre-return to work form
• Inform their employer.
• Self-isolate.
• Stay out of work until all symptoms have cleared following self-isolation.
• Participate in training provided.
• Submit to temperature testing.

Regular handwashing with soap and water is effective for the removal of Covid-19

Between washing use of hand sanitizers are recommended (above 60% alcohol)

• Clean all work areas
• Frequently touched surfaces
• Follow the directions on the label
• No additional disinfection recommended

It is important to cover your mouth:

• When coughing or sneezing

Use a disposable tissue

• Where none are available cough or sneeze into your arm, elbow or sleeve
• Ensure you dispose of your tissue responsibly

Physical distancing is essential and can be achieved in a number of ways:

• Maintaining distance
• Avoid close contact
• Setting up screens or barriers
• Implementing queue management
• Card payments
• Collections/deliveries
• Canteen use
• Office density
• Use of technology
• Avoid communal objects

FTAI recommends cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces when:

• Taking over the vehicle and when finishing your shift.
• All regular touch points should be cleaned and disinfected

• Do not use disposable gloves as an alternative to washing your hands
• Wearing disposable gloves may give you a false sense of security
• If you sneeze or cough into the gloves, this creates a new surface for the virus to live on and you may contaminate yourself when taking off the gloves or touching surfaces
• Gloves must be removed in a manner so as not to contaminate the wearers hands or other surfaces.
• They must be disposed of appropriately.

The Government now advise that the wearing of facemasks is mandatory on public transport.

The FTA Ireland recommends the wearing of facemasks when:

• In close proximity to other people
• When drivers are out of their cab at loading and unloading sites
• When staff must work in close proximity to each other

• There should be a defined response structure that identifies those responsible for responding to a suspected case
• Each company will nominate a Covid-19 worker representative
• The Covid-19 worker representative will have been briefed on the action plan

• Amended Covid-19 sick leave policies as appropriate
• Employers will communicate with employees in line with normal procedures