Influenza Hygiene

Prevention Practices

Social Distancing

The concept of "Social Distancing" is, perhaps, the most important feature of a pandemic management plan. The fundamental concept being to limit human-to-human contacts that might promote the transmission of the influenza virus. "Social Distancing" is a simple protocol that encourages a minimum distance of at least 3 feet (1 meter) to be maintained between persons whenever possible. Greater distances are more effective. The space created between personnel discourages personal contact (the customary hand shake greeting is easily avoided) and should also help minimize non-essential transfer of items between personnel.

Social distancing will be very difficult for personnel required to meet or deal with the public. Vehicle drivers, receptionists and personnel who work in small groups or teams will be challenged to keep as reasonable a distance apart as possible. Individual use of personal protection equipment (PPE) for contact situations such as these will be important to consider.

Any form of contact with individuals who are ill with pandemic influenza, including visitors, should be avoided wherever practicable. Influenza managers should put up notices reminding personnel of these concerns. The following strategies, all part of utilizing a "Social Distancing" policy, can be used as appropriate in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak:

• Implement telework capabilities whenever feasible. Set up systems where customers can pre-order/request information via phone/e-mail/fax and have order/information ready for fast pick up or delivery.
• Avoid meeting people face to face - use the telephone, video conferencing and the internet to conduct business as much as possible - even when participants are in the same building If face to face meetings are unavoidable, minimize the meeting time, choose a large meeting room and sit at least one meter away from each other if possible; avoid shaking hands or hugging.
• If possible, arrange for employees to work form home or work flex hours to avoid crowding at the workplace.
• Encourage job rotation and staggered shifts to minimize workplace capacity.
• Segregate or isolate critical work place teams or personnel clusters. Where operationally allowed, teams are encouraged to split into different work locations to build back up and avoid cross infection.
• Reduce or eliminate work in poorly ventilated areas. Where operationally allowed, shift changes should be managed as follows: when one shift goes off duty, there should be an interval before the next shift begins so that the worksite can be thoroughly ventilated (open all doors & windows or turn up the air conditioning).
• Bring lunch and eat at your desk or away from others (avoid the cafeteria or crowded restaurants). Stagger lunchtimes to reduce numbers of people in the lunchroom.
• Minimize the use of shared facilities for eating, smoking or breaks. Do not congregate, do what needs to be done and then leave the area.
• Avoid any unnecessary travel and cancel or postpone non-essential meetings/gatherings/workshops/training sessions.
• Avoid public transport: walk, cycle, or drive a car off hours to avoid rush hour crowding on public transport. Eliminate high risk travel (airplanes, trains, buses).
• Encourage the staff to avoid recreational or other leisure classes/meetings, etc. where they might come into contact with infectious people.