Let’s work together to help reduce the spread of the Covid-19

As we move into the winter months there most likely will be a rise in infection rates, due to people mixing more as they return to offices, schools, universities and socialise more indoors. 

It is important to protect ourselves and our loved ones to understand the spread of Covid-19. The primary route of transmission is through particles of the virus in the air.  There is a low understanding of airborne spread and as a result there is limited understanding of the effective measures and personal behaviours.

As we spend more time together indoors, the danger of breathing in infectious coronavirus particles increases significantly. It is important to note that while vaccines remain our best defence against Covid-19, you can still catch the virus even if you have been vaccinated. Moreover, you can still pass it onto others and put their health in danger, even though you might only feel minor effects yourself.

Princess Adetoun Adenuga and Otunba Obafemi Adenuga, are directors of Femade (UK) Limited, a south London based freight forwarding and export services company which commenced operations on 04 January 1999 mainly for Air and Sea Freight, General Export, and Product Sourcing and Buying.

What would Femade (UK) Ltd do to protect customers and reduce the spread of COVID-19 and Flu this coming winter?

Otunba Adenuga said, “We want our business to get back to a normal day-to-day routine pre Covid-19, with the relaxation of international Covid-19 travel regulations. It is important to us that our staff and customers continue to follow the Covid-19 safe and considerate behaviours.” 

Since we are approaching the winter months, we encourage all members of staff to take the flu jab.” He says.

What do you have in place for good ventilation in your warehouse to reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19?

Princess Adetoun Adenuga said, “Since we reopened we made sure that some of the top windows that were sealed, can now open on both sides for cross ventilation to let in more fresh air.

Entrances and exits are separated and clearly mark. Individual working area has been created for staff to maintain social distancing, customers are no longer allowed inside the warehouse, outdoor drop off points has been created outside the warehouse to reduce customer to staff contact. Goods collection and delivery are now mainly by door-to-door services.

All our staff have already taken the two Covid-19 vaccines but on arrival they sanitise their hands, do a temperature check while we conduct 2 lateral flow tests every week,” she says.

These are the simple and important ways to keep each other safe.  

Ventilation

Meeting outdoors is safer: You are much more likely to catch COVID-19 indoors. Meeting outdoors is harder in colder months, but it can reduce the risk of airborne transmission.

Let fresh air into indoor space: Opening your windows for just 10 minutes or a small amount continuously where you can make a significant difference.

Open the windows when you have visitors: Let fresh air into your home before, during and after their visit for a short period of time. .

Face coverings

Wearing a face covering over your mouth and nose because those who have COVID-19 release contagious droplets when they exhale. People should still wear a mask even if they aren’t showing symptoms of Covid-19, as they can still have the virus and spread it to others

Wear a face covering in enclosed spaces where others are around, so that if you do have it without knowing, you reduce your risk of breathing it onto others.

Testing

NHS Test and Trace will continue to protect the public this winter, limiting the spread of COVID-19 by helping to break the chains of transmission.      

Rapid lateral flow tests are free, easy to do, and results come back within 30 minutes. 

“Lateral flow devices are effective at finding people with high viral loads who are most infectious and most likely to transmit the virus to others… It is a very good test.” – Dr Susan Hopkins 

Everyone can get free rapid lateral flow tests by visiting nhs.uk/Get-Tested, some pharmacies or by calling 119.   

Reporting all your results whether they’re positive, negative, or void, helps to quickly spot when the virus is spreading, identify outbreaks early – and respond sooner.  

If you test positive, you should immediately self-isolate and confirm your result by taking a PCR test, which you can order online. 

“You may wish to consider testing if you feel there will be a period of higher risk that day, either to yourself or others. Some examples include:

– Testing before mixing in crowded indoor spaces, for example a nightclub

– Testing before visiting vulnerable people.

Taking a rapid lateral flow test before a period of higher risk will give you peace of mind that you are unlikely to be infectious with COVID-19, and it is unlikely you will spread the virus. If you do test positive, you can then take action to help stop the virus spreading.

Let’s send our children back to school safely. Your family and friends can get tested for free.”

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