The new normal – what is it? That’s the question everyone is asking as governments continue to relax distancing and workplace rules that have kept most people at home for three months. The one thing most people agree on is the future will not be what we were used to before March. What we don’t yet know is how long will new health and safety protocols be in place. Perhaps it really is the new normal and we’ll be monitoring distancing and body temperature forever to avoid spreading of not only COVID-19, but other infectious diseases as well.
One of the easiest measures for employers to implement is self-screening for workers.
Apps like ENTRSAFE provide a simple way screen employees before they come in for their shifts each day. Employees are required to respond to a series of questions about their health – specifically as it relates to potential COVID-19 exposure. Based on a set of defined rules, the app will allow or disallow entry to the workplace, or request a manual review.
The app is designed to give workers and management confidence in a safe work environment and that employers are doing their part to minimize both business and personal risk.
Recognizing the financial burden many businesses already face as a result of the pandemic – either in lost revenue, additional expenses related to teleworking and re-opening, or both – ENTRSAFE’s parent company WORK2LIVE is providing the app at no cost.
The digital app provides an easy tool for managing return-to-work protocols without requiring any paper-based logging or additional data entry, while making it easy to pull reporting to get in front of exposure risks. An admin dashboard provides access to user management features, reporting, push notifications, and symptom awareness information. The company says its security and encryption measures provider a HIPAA-compliant environment that protects user privacy.
In addition to providing an easy way for general businesses to manage employee safety in the wake of COVID-19, ENTRSAFE could also be implemented in a number of customer-facing scenarios to protect not only workers, but other guests, customers, and students.
- Students – The app can be used to issue digital day passes that students can show on their phones in order to gain entry to school buildings and busses.
- Sports venues – While it’s still unclear when fans will be allowed to attend sporting events again, any organization or venue can use the app to screen fans, who would have to provide a digital pass to enter a facility. This could be implemented at sporting events at any level.
- Healthcare providers – With its HIPAA-compliant protocols in place, ENTRSAFE could enable medical facilities to pre-screen patients before they come for their scheduled appointments, to allow for proper measures to be taken to keep all patients and staff safe.
The truth is, apps like this could be implemented in almost any business looking for an extra measure of re-opening safety. Restaurants could require reservations that include app-based screening. Movie theaters could attach the same requirement to ticket purchases, which can be done online for most theaters these days. Gyms, hotels, country clubs, community centers, airports, and many other facilities could implement similar measures.
“It is important to offer an easy to use app to organizations as we all try to return to the new normal. At the same time, it’s important to make sure there is no additional financial burden to employers and organizations during this pandemic which is why it is 100% free of charge.”
Greg DiCarlo, Managing Partner, WORK2LIVE.
Of course, there’s an inherent flaw because the system relies on truthful reporting. That could certainly have a greater impact in some facilities that others, and doesn’t mean additional technologies shouldn’t also be implemented, like touchless temperature screening. Unfortunately, it’s not hard to believe people wouldn’t provide inaccurate information in order to be able to go to the movies or a ball game. But, for employers who have made it clear employees won’t be penalized for having to work remotely or not come to work due to infection, this is a an easy way to reduce exposure.
