This Monday, November 29, 2021, the national protocol to ensure the health and safety of company employees in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic was updated on the occasion of the resumption of the epidemic, and a new version applicable since yesterday has just been published. “We must rigorously reapply all health rules,” Labor Minister Elisabeth Borne said on France-info at the end of last week. There is no recourse to compulsory teleworking but at the end of last week, Minister Élisabeth Borne called on employers to promote it “We are not going to set an obligation for companies, but I invite employers to promote teleworking and to define the rules with employee representatives ” she had declared.
The main changes in company protocol relate to strict compliance with barrier gestures and the wearing of masks indoors, as well as ventilation of the premises.
Christmas jars: not recommended but not prohibited
The new protocol specifies that moments of conviviality (such as starter pots or Christmas pots) are “no longer recommended”. But they are not strictly prohibited and when they are organized, “in any case, they must be done in strict compliance with barrier gestures, in particular wearing a mask, aeration-ventilation measures and the two-meter distance rules when the mask is removed“, specifies the protocol.
We open the windows every hour
Opening windows to ventilate the premises and ventilation of workplaces to reduce the risk of airborne transmission of the virus is more relevant than ever. “This ventilation must be ensured:
- Preferably naturally: doors and / or windows open permanently or failing that at least 5 minutes every hour, so as to ensure the circulation of air and its renewal.
- Otherwise, thanks to a mechanical ventilation system in accordance with the regulations, in good working order and verified ensuring an adequate supply of fresh air.
- A fan should not be used if the air flow is directed towards people.
Wearing a mask and barrier gestures
Wearing the so-called category 1 mask, barrier gestures and cleaning of the premises remain compulsory. The distances between colleagues or people present in the company remain at 1 meter.
In addition, audio or videoconference meetings should be favored. “When they are held face-to-face, the meetings must respect barrier gestures, in particular the wearing of a mask, ventilation / ventilation measures for the premises as well as the rules of distancing”. Small summary of the rules in force in the company:
- Systematize the wearing of masks in closed and shared places.
- Maintain a physical distance of at least 1 meter.
- Bring the distance to 2 meters when the mask cannot be worn, in collective catering as well as in outdoor spaces.
This brings us back to the rule of 8 square meters per employee in company canteens, “in the absence of a health pass in these places, and in the context of the resumption of the epidemic, we plan to return to a rule of two meters between each person at the table, as soon as the mask is not worn “, The ministry said after a meeting with the social partners.
Immunization incentive
The last version of the health protocol dated back to last September. He already wanted to encourage the vaccination of employees by authorizing their absence, including during their working time. This absence is always authorized so that the employees can receive the 3rd dose of the vaccine. The law also provides that this authorization can be granted to an employee who wishes to accompany a minor or a protected adult for whom he is responsible to be vaccinated.
“Employers are expected, in view of public health imperatives, that they allow their employees to be absent during working hours, to facilitate their access to vaccination. The employee approaches his employer in order to determine the best way to organize this absence “it is written.
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