NEMO advises on H1N1
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Monday, September 28, 2009 – In May 2009 the World Health Organisation designated H1N1 as a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" and the virus has lived up to its description. As the National Flu Committee deepens its response to this flu, Saint Lucians are called upon to partner with the Committee.
Saint Lucia's Occupational Health and Safety Act require that employers provide employees with the equipment and training needed to execute the job they were hired for. With this in mind the NEMO Secretariat is advising persons who handle money on a constant basis (e.g. Bank and Credit Union Tellers, Government and Private Sector Cashiers etc.) to wear gloves.
Gloves do not replace the personal hygiene practices and so money handlers are reminded not to touch their face or other surfaces with the used gloves...as they may spread infection that way....and they should still wash hands often....maybe change gloves often too.
Some businesses have already started the practice and we commend them for being so pro active. The virus can live on a surface for 2 to 8 hours and contaminated money can spread the virus easily as it goes from hand to hand. Vendors, Deliverymen who collect payments and One Person Shops are reminded to wash their hands with soap and water often for 20 seconds and if not available then to use hand sanitizer. Advice that remains the same for the general public.
The Government, Red Cross and Civic Society cannot minimise the impact of this virus without the cooperation of the General Public. Each one of us must play our part or we will all remain vulnerable. |
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