The Security Industry’s Role In Containing Coronavirus; Safeguarding Lives and Health of CISS Security Guards.
CISS expresses concern to all its employees, field staff and to the Security Industry in general and particularly to any individual or organization directly impacted by contamination risk of the coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared coronavirus a pandemic and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India today has decided to treat Covid-19 as a “Notified Disaster”. This is a big Black Swan event for the world which can snowball into a major global catastrophe if not controlled in time. In India it is beginning to spread, largely
imported by travelers from Dubai, Italy and other places of major spread. The human and economic consequences can be grave if not contained.
DOMINO EFFECT CAUSED BY A SINGLE VIRUS
To site an example what domino effect a single undetected or undeclared case of Covid-19 positive can have is of the Delhi man. Now Noida schools are shut as the Delhi man who tested positive for coronavirus threw a birthday party for his son at a prominent Delhi fivestar. This triggered fears that the son’s schoolmates who attended the party could be at risk. As a precautionary measure, the private school where the kids study shut down for the remainder of this week. Further, Air India, which flew the Delhi coronavirus patient from Vienna to India sent out an advisory to the passengers of that flight to come forward and follow the Covid-19 protocol notified by the Union Ministry of Health for prevention of further outbreak. There are many such examples already in India and the number is only multiplying. In Mumbai starting today all malls, theatres, public gyms, swimming pools are advised to shut till March 30th. In Bangalore all malls, weddings and gathering larger than 15 people are advised stopped from today.
RISKS FACED BY SECURITY GUARDS
Like healthcare staff, Security Guards too face the occupational hazard of direct and close proximity to mass contact exposure. CISS reco gnizes that the spread of this virus could affect its employee health and well being. Thousands of people place their fingers or entire hands on biometric readers at access control points at malls, multiplexes, corporate parks, etc., where our guards perform their routine activities of crowd control, pedestrian management, frisking, checking baggage and interacting with people. A passive carrier of Covid-19 or a contaminated object can transmit the infection to our guards on duty. A discarded contaminated mask itself may become a potent source of mass contamination. It is therefore imperative to safeguard the life and health of our guards and their families
by preventing passive assent of this disease. Any lapse can affect our business continuity as well as that of our Clients’. Hence; Personal and organizational accountability and responsibility is absolutely essential rather than panicking about it.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
For the long term, perhaps, remote access control devices, body-worn video cameras, surveillance cameras can make manned security less exposed to communicable diseases. However, for the instant, wearing of gloves, face masks, headgear, goggles or clear glass, full sleeve shirts, trousers and well fitting socks would keep the guard’s body well covered. At high risk areas like international airports full body anti contamination suits are a must.
DO’s AND DON’T’s FOR ALL EMPLOYEES ESPECIALLY SECURITY GUARDS
- Wear special protective gears like masks and goggles to cover eyes, nose and mouth.
- Other items of clothing must be hygienic, clean and sanitized as much as possible.
- Do not come in direct physical contact with your bear hands or uncovered or unprotected body with people while checking, frisking, searching, guiding, etc.
- Wash hands frequently and dry with own handkerchief. DO NOT USE COMMON HAND TOWELS IN PUBLIC TOILETS
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Maintain social distance of a minimum of 1.5mt (4.5 feet) to avoid person to person contamination. Be vigilant and wary of becoming a victim of peoples sneezing and coughing. In turn, ensure to cover your nose and mouth while sneezing and coughing.
- After arriving home from duty take proper bath with preferably medicated soap.
- Wash clothes daily.
- Keep travel to the minimum, avoid crowds. Avoid events and gatherings to minimize risk.
- In case of any symptoms seek Doctor’s advice. Do not indulge in self medication.
- Do not believe in rumors especially sensational news and free medical advises through social media and also do not indulge in rumor mongering.
- Eat healthy, stay healthy, exercise regularly and maintain good health and fitness.
- In case of any doubt or query, contact your CISS seniors for genuine and best advise.
