Heat Wave Dos and DON’Ts during COVID-19 by National Disaster Management Authority

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has prepared a list of Dos and DON’Ts to mitigate the adverse effects of the heat wave as the weather report from the Indian Meteorology Department (IMD) shows that the heat wave conditions could be severe in 2020.

In order to facilitate States in better management of the heat wave and also contain the spread of novel Coronavirus, the NDMA has prepared the list of Dos and DON’Ts and to undertake a massive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign to contain the heat wave related illnesses or deaths during the heat wave season.

DOs

• Stay at home and listen to radio; watch TV; read news for updates/advisories on the local weather and COVID-19 situation.

• Drink sufficient water or other homemade drinks and keep hydrated.

•Avoid going out. If required to go out, cover your head and face and avoid touching any surface.

• Maintain physical distancing of atleast 1 meter from other persons.

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or sanitizer.

Other Precautions

• Stay indoors as much as possible.

• Keep your home cool by using curtains, shutters or sunshade and open windows at night.

• Consult a doctor immediately on feeling sick such as high fever, throbbing headache, dizziness or nausea or disorientation/continuous coughing or shortness of breath.

• Keep pets in shade and give them plenty of water to drink

DON’Ts

• Avoid stepping out and if you have to go out for essential work, avoid going out in the peak hours i.e., 12 noon to 3 p.m.

• Avoid cooking during peak hours and ventilate the cooking area adequately.

•Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks as they tend to dehydrate the body.

• Avoid high protein, spicy and oily food as well as stale food.

• Do not touch your eyes, mouth and nose without washing your hands.

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

• Stay at home if you are sick.

There are guidelines provided for Employers and Workers also. They are:

DOs

• Caution workers to avoid direct sunlight. MNREGA workers or agricultural labourers should be asked to cover their heads and face at all times.

• Schedule strenuous jobs during cooler times of the day.

• Special attention to be given to pregnant workers or workers with medical conditions.

• Employers to ensure that all workers maintain a physical distance of 1 to 1.5 meters from each other while working and also while making provision for their lunch/dinner.

• Employers should provide labourers with soap and water for frequent hand washing and thereby ensure hygiene.

• Sanitation workers should cover their heads, wear mask and gloves and wash their hands frequently and thoroughly.

•Always follow social distancing

• If someone is sick, he/she must be reported to the duty supervisor.

DON’Ts

• Do not spit, smoke or chew tobacco at workplace

• Do not shake hands or hug others

•Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth

• Do not go to work if you are sick

• Avoid close contact with sick people