The COVID-19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time, disrupting the economy and the society as we know it. However, rest be assured that Candor TechSpace is taking all steps to ensure the health, safety and wellness of tenants, employees and other end-users at its campuses. Let’s take a look at the various precautionary measures that are in place to make our campuses 100 per cent safe.
Corporate organisations across India are undertaking precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. As the global pandemic spreads, Candor TechSpace too has stepped up its precautionary measures. All necessary health, safety and wellness measures have been undertaken at our campuses for our tenants, their employees and other end-users. Our objective is to keep our campuses absolutely safe by following every health and hygiene protocol. We are closely monitoring the updates in order to act quickly and are following the guidelines released by the World Health Organization (WHO), Government of India, and its Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW).
We would like to assure you that our campuses are being maintained well and are fully operational. We are especially proud of our dedicated operations team which has been dedicatedly working for the last few weeks, to maintain all critical and essential services.
Let’s take a look at the longterm mitigating measures we have undertaken to prevent and control transmission of COVID-19 at our campuses.
Instituting Temperature Checks
As high body temperature is the most conspicuous symptom of COVID-19, employees, visitors and our staff entering the campuses are screened for high body temperatures quickly and reliably. Temperature checks are conducted at the entrance using hand-held thermal scanners requiring no skin contact. On detection of high body temperature, the concerned person is asked to return to the campus only after consultation with the respective occupant company administration team.
Practising Physical Distancing
To avoid crowding and minimise opportunities for the virus to spread, physical distancing measures have been put in place. These include putting up floor markings in the campuses, encouraging a distance of six feet from other people where it is feasible. For example, at the campus entrance, yellow markings on the road make sure that people are six feet away from each other when they are standing in line to have their temperatures measured. All this helps ensure separation and prevent congregation of people as far as possible.
Cleaning And Disinfecting Campus Areas
We are following safe practices for cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces within the common areas at the campuses. Cleaning refers to removing germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces, while disinfecting means actually killing the germs on surfaces. This distinction is of paramount importance since one might clean surfaces effectively but one might not be disinfecting them, thereby leaving germs and bacteria to fester and grow.
Keeping this in mind, our cleaning staff is wiping and disinfecting all common areas in the campuses frequently, such as entryways, lobbies, elevators, staircases and washrooms. They are focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces such as elevator buttons, 3M floor mats, tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, door handles, staircase railings, desks, toilets, counters and washbasins. Even the garbage disposal systems within the campuses are being cleaned and disinfected frequently.
Providing Protective Suits To Our Cleaning Crews
In our campuses, our cleaning crews are on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19. To enable them to protect their own health, we have provided them with specialised full-body protective suits, masks and gloves. The protective gear is compatible with the disinfectant products being used. The cleaning teams have been instructed to wear the gear while performing all tasks in the cleaning process, including handling trash. They have also been guided about following normal preventive actions while at work and home, such as cleaning their hands often, including immediately after removing gloves, and avoiding touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
Training Staff
At Candor TechSpace, we believe that periodic refresher training for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic is like having a booster shot. One might well have had that initial training, and might have found it useful, but as time passes, one might forget some of the key guidelines; even prevention and control techniques might change. Therefore, apart from hosting training and awareness sessions, we, in association with Apollo Hospitals, have begun organising periodic refresher training sessions for staff. These cover various key points of prevention and control of COVID-19, including appropriate usage of personal protective equipment.
Conducting Periodic Health Check-Ups
Candor TechSpace and Apollo Hospitals are also jointly organising periodic health camps. This is to ensure that occupants and employees in our campuses get basic healthcare at the earliest possible time before any small health problem turns serious. After all, health examinations and tests at the early stages of any illness can help tackle it faster and save a life before it can cause any damage. Even basic health check-ups can identify underlying illnesses and infections. Most importantly, periodic checks are conducted for frontline staff to continuously monitor their health and well-being. Ambulance and paramedical staff are also stationed 24/7 for emergency response in the campuses.
Doing Periodic Fumigation
Fumigation or wide-area spraying can help in controlling the spread of COVID-19. So, apart from cleaning frequently-used surfaces, we are also conducting periodic fumigation of back of house (BOH) areas such as plant rooms, staircases, basements and terrace, and front of house (BOH) areas such as lobbies, food court and other prominent locations.
Installing Hand Sanitisers
When it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19, there is nothing better than good old-fashioned hand washing. But if water and soap are not available, the next best option is to use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains over 60 per cent alcohol. Keeping this in mind, Candor TechSpace has placed hand sanitiser at commonly-used locations within the campuses, such as lobbies, entry and exit points, washrooms, etc.
Implementing Critical Staffing Plans
Continuous vendor engagement is in progress for ensuring consistent manpower levels across the campuses. Key personnel have been identified across sites and verticals (M&E/HK/Security) for managing the campuses 24/7 with current occupancy levels. Packed meals and lodging facilities have been arranged at sites to ensure that our staff is available in case of complete restrictions in movement.
Other Preventive Measures
Signage on COVID-19 symptoms and how to help prevent the spread of the virus has been put up across the campuses. Preventive maintenance and upkeep as per plan is also being conducted to ensure fully functional campuses.
We are taking extra precautions to maintain air quality. This involves undertaking deep cleaning of cooling coils and cleaning and disinfection of filters to flush out workspaces with fresh air before occupancy, and also periodically monitoring air quality. Moreover, a helpline number has been launched for the benefit of people in the campus. They can contact the helpdesk for assistance by calling 1800 103 4000 in case they experience COVID-19 symptoms while in the campus.
In line with standard protocols for any public health emergency, an incident management system has also been activated across our campuses and we are preparing to mount a broader response, if needed.
To test our resilience sometimes we are faced with harsh trials. The key is not to give up. The moment will pass, and when it does we will be stronger and more determined in our endeavours. So, make sure that you educate yourself and your family and friends about the precautions to be followed to reduce one’s chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19. Let’s all do our part in stopping this global pandemic!
