Millions of people across the world are not leaving their homes and practising social distancing to put a stop to COVID-19. And one of the ways to lessen the spread of this pandemic virus is that everyone who does not have an essential job must stay at home. Those who have essential jobs such as healthcare workers, grocery-store employees, and delivery carriers must be extra careful to protect themselves while working. 

There are numerous workers that are still going to work every day to keep our communities functioning. These people who work in critical sectors from foodservice and grocery, to law enforcement and public works are largely required to continue to report for duty. So, what can these mission-critical workers do to stay safe? 

Precautionary Steps to Take 

If you have to go to work, here are several things you can follow to stay safe amid the spread of COVID-19: 

• Wash your hands as many times as you can, particularly if you usually interact with the public in your job. 
• Always bring a hand sanitizer on hands in case you aren’t able to access a sink during your workday. 
• Keep a safe distance from all people you come across. Stay away at least 6 feet apart from anyone. 
• Don’t share a ride with a friend or co-worker. If this is possible, travel to and from work alone. 
• Wear a mask. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is currently urging the public to wear a cloth face covering when in public. 
• Don’t wear too many accessories. 
• Wear glasses instead of contacts. This will help remind you to not touch your eyes and also provide extra protection. 

To give a more specific measure, here are precautions for different essential workers: 

Delivery Drivers/ Carriers and Postal Workers 

• Just like stock clerks, wipe down packages. 
• Avoid touching your face and wash your hands frequently. Wear gloves and a mask. 
• Communal surfaces should be wiped down like steering wheels of delivery trucks. 
• Always use the six feet distance between you and the consumer. 
• Leave packages on doorsteps without making contact with high-surface contact areas such as doorbells and knobs. 

Cashiers 

• Make it a habit to clean touched surfaces. All of the equipment you use most of the time must count as communal surfaces and they should be cleaned including cash registers and countertops. 
• Always wear gloves and a mask, but don’t give them a false sense of security. If it’s possible, change your gloves with every various group of customers, and before you leave your shift, throw the gloves away in a trash bin.

Stock Clerks 

Take note that cardboard boxes may acquire COVD-19 for 24 hours, and plastic for two to three days. If your duty is to load and unload boxes, wipe them down before you take them into the facility. 

Try to block the aisle you’re working in so the customer can’t pass by when you are stocking shelves. This will lessen the risk of contamination from close contact with other people. Keep a six feet distance from others. 

Restaurant Workers 

• For both customers and drivers, it is suggested to avoid or limit the exchange of money when fulfilling takeout orders. The food industry should take into consideration a safer way to operate by exchanging money or credit cards with guests. 
• For the food industry, you may have your customers stay in their cars and bring food out to them instead of them having to walk up to the door and go inside the restaurant to order food. 
• Of course, wash your hands frequently and wear a mask and gloves. 

Healthcare Workers 

These precautions apply to anyone working in the healthcare industry whether you work in food service, housekeeping, or as a medical assistant. 

• Wear masks and gloves. Avoid touching your face. Always wash hands frequently. 
• Don’t bring things you don’t need at work to reduce the risk of contamination. 
• Clean your phones, badges, car steering wheels, and doorknobs.
• Have a specific area where you can leave your work shoes, like the garage. 
• Take a shower and wash your clothes immediately after your shift.