Several sectors in our country are not planning to take hard measures for the time being if the number of corona infections rises sharply in the autumn. Supermarkets, retailers and the catering industry are mainly waiting for advice from the government, according to a tour.
“Companies should benefit from the knowledge they have gained in the past two years. Employers must therefore do everything they can to prevent infections in the workplace, so that the government does not have to take harsh measures,” said a spokesperson for ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare. .
The occupational health and safety services noticed that absenteeism at companies had already risen significantly last month. “That’s why we also say to employers: switch back to working from home more if you can, keep your distance and take alternating breaks.”
According to Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN), the cabinet has asked various sectors to come up with a sector plan for when the coronavirus flares up again, with the aim of keeping society open for as long as possible. “It is not up to such parties as ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare to call on employers to prevent a lockdown. Occupational health and safety services should especially inform employers about the prevention of absenteeism.”
KHN also let us know that it would like to think along. “But we believe that the government is solely responsible when it comes to taking serious measures, prompted by an acute medical situation,” said a spokesperson.
‘Mainly use input from employees’
The trade association advises entrepreneurs in its own sector plan to regularly discuss ‘corona awareness’ during work consultations. “Not only to repeat the basic rules, but also to use the input of employees. What do they see and what do they encounter? Do they have any suggestions for improvement or new ideas?”
Director Marc Jansen of the Central Bureau for Food Trade (CBL) emphasizes that the supermarkets will immediately adopt a recommendation from the RIVM. “If we are obliged to introduce the one and a half meter rule and mouth caps, we will do that. And we will also place the splash screens. But we are not going to interpret what we have to do in advance, we are not the experts in that area.”
Retailers have now tightened hygiene measures by placing disinfecting hand gel at the door, while this is not mandatory. “And employees must stay at home in the event of complaints or an infection,” says a spokesperson for INretail, the trade association for the sports, fashion and shoe industry.
“We take our responsibility, but the stores have never been a major source of contamination anyway. We now have to wait and see what will happen, the current peak is already decreasing.”
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