Corona: How high is the risk of infection in the workplace?

As of today, employers must provide all employees who do not work from home with at least one  corona test  per week, or even two if the risk of infection is particularly high.

Corona infection at work: That’s how high the risk is

According to initial data from the Robert Koch Institute, the risk of infection in the family and home environment is particularly high, and the workplace is also considered a strong focus of infection. Difficult working conditions and living groups can increase the risk of infection in the workplace. The risk of infection can also be significantly increased in everyday office life. First studies by the University of Konstanz evaluate the risk of infection in the workplace after a survey of 700 employees as follows:

• Higher risk of infection in the office:  Four to eight times more infections were found in the office, regardless of the working conditions. It is therefore of particular relevance to offer employees a home office if possible and to use it as an employee. 4.2 percent of workers who were regularly in the office became infected with  COVID-19 .
• High risk of infection during meetings and in canteens:  The particular risk of infection after meetings in the office or having lunch together in the canteen is also reflected in the increased number of infections. 9.9 percent of workers became infected during a meeting, while 9.8 percent contracted  corona while eating lunch in the canteen  .
• The potential of working from home has not yet been exhausted:  36 percent of those surveyed go to the office on a voluntary basis, while 37 percent of employees continue to go to work at the employer’s request. In addition, 15 percent did so on the instructions of their direct superior.

The risk of infection is significantly higher, especially in systemically important professions such as health and social work. This is another reason why many of these professions have a particularly high priority in the vaccination sequence. But in normal open-plan offices or production halls there is also an increased risk of infection. Weekly corona tests as well as compliance with the AHA rules and the obligation to wear masks can reduce the risk of infection.

Protection against corona infections in the office: this must be taken into account

In order to avoid the risk of corona infection in the office, a few aspects should be considered. The AHA rules (keep your distance – observe hygiene – wear a mask in everyday life) are just as important here as regular  ventilation  and the use of the Corona-Warn-App.

Employees should also pay attention to the following:

• The minimum area of ​​10 square meters per person should not be undercut. If this is not possible, require partitions between workstations and ventilate regularly.
• Also, keep a minimum distance of 1.5 meters to colleagues outdoors. Likewise in toilets, the hallway or in the tea kitchen.
• Direct physical contact and shaking hands should be avoided.
• Work in small permanent teams or individually if possible.
• Avoid appointments with presence, use video conferences and online offers.
• Use flexible working hours and avoid public transport at peak times.
• If you have cold symptoms, stay at home and work from home.