Omicron, a new variant of COVID-19, is spreading panic around the world. BGMEA, an association of ready-made garment industry owners, has asked the export-oriented garment factories to comply with 17 directives, fearing that the variant may spread rapidly.
In a directive issued last week to its member factories, BGMEA said that the garment factories should put emphasis on setting different times for the start of production and when it’s time for the workers to go home. This will avoid overcrowding. Apart from that, it is necessary to make arrangements for movement while maintaining physical distance. If possible, separate shifts can be arranged for the working hours of different departments. At the time of entering the factory, the workers’ body temperature should be measured and if necessary, they should be sent for a health examination.
BGMEA has issued a directive to provide soap and water for the workers to wash their hands in the area adjacent to the main gate when entering the factory. It has also been suggested to encourage workers to avoid crowds at work. Apart from this, different timings have to be set for lunch breaks and other breaks for the workers of different departments.
BGMEA has instructed the member factories to make it compulsory for the workers to wear masks all the time in the workplace. Additionally, the workers have been advised to avoid all kinds of social, political, religious, and other public gatherings.
According to the BGMEA guidelines, if any worker shows signs of COVID-19 infection, they should be kept in isolation. Arrangements will have to be made in coordination with the local authorities for testing his sample. If the COVID-19 test is positive, the factory authorities will have to isolate the patient as well as quarantine others who came into contact with the concerned patient.
