The health and safety of the Agency of International Cooperation for Development community is our top priority. Therefore, ACID has adopted measures to protect employees and members from exposure to and infection with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), depends on exposure risk. With that purpose, we will continue to emphasize remote learning and work while allowing for the resumption of certain in-person activities, including the phased reopening of our office and the return of a limited members in our facility.
All departments are required to adopt infection prevention and control strategies based on a thorough workplace hazard assessment using appropriate combinations of engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent worker and members exposures. We remain alert to and informed about changing outbreak conditions, including as they relate to community spread of the virus and testing availability, and implement infection prevention and control measures accordingly. Supporting the well-being of our community while addressing challenges those in need are facing and renewing our commitment requires each of us to take steps to protect ourselves and others, whether by continuing to work remotely, or by following important health and safety protocols in the workplace. Each of us can play a role in preventing the spread of infection and keeping our community healthy.
For all workers, regardless of specific exposure risks, it is always a good practice to:
- Wear cloth face coverings, at a minimum, at all times when around coworkers or the general public. If a respirator, such as an N95 respirator or better, is needed for conducting work activities, then that respirator should be used, and the worker should use their cloth face covering when they are not using the respirator (such as during breaks or while commuting).
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are not immediately available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol as active ingredients and rub hands together until they are dry. Always wash hands that are visibly soiled.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Practice good respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes or coughing/sneezing into your elbow/upper sleeve.
- Avoid close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with people who are visibly sick and practice physical distancing with coworkers and the public.
- Stay home if sick.
- Recognize personal risk factors. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain people, including older adults and those with underlying conditions such as heart or lung disease, chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis, liver disease, diabetes, immune deficiencies, or obesity, are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19.
