EAP and COVID-19: Return to Work Safely Protocol: COVID-19 Specific National Protocol for Employers and Workers

Abstract

We are all confronted with a situation that was unimaginable a few short weeks ago. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted severely on every part of our society and our economy. In the face of this, the biggest challenge we have encountered in decades, Irish people have almost universally stepped up to the plate and adhered to the strict guidelines put in place by the Government, following the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Response Team (NPHET). Because of this strict adherence to the rules, we have all contributed to the progress that Ireland has made in containing the spread of COVID-19 and, in so doing, we have saved lives. Now, because of the progress made, we are beginning to move to the next phase in reducing the spread of the virus, while starting to gradually re-open our economy and our society. In doing so, we still need to make sure that we adhere to the rules of the new way of living and working, so that we maintain the gains we have made, and continue to suppress the spread of the virus. Work is a key part of life and most of us want to return to our jobs as soon as possible. But we need to get back to work safely.