In order to be able to cope with the fifth wave of coronavirus and avoid “stronger constraints”, the Minister of Labor, Élisabeth Borne, on Monday called on companies to “mobilize” on the respect of barrier gestures and in particular the wearing of a mask .
“In business, we must re-mobilize on this respect for barrier gestures, put the mask back on in meetings, when we are in shared spaces … It is very important at a time when we see that the epidemic is starting again”, declared the Minister during a visit to L’Oréal’s headquarters in Clichy (Hauts-de-Seine).
“A certain relaxation”
Accompanied by the Secretary of State for Occupational Health Laurent Pietraszewski, she explained that she wanted to come to a company “which applies very rigorously” the health protocol in the company. This protocol “defines the rules that must be applied: in the first place the wearing of the mask, but also a whole series of rules on the use of hydroalcoholic gel, on the respect of distances”, she recalled, lamenting lately “a certain relaxation” in its application.
“It is important that everyone has in mind that it is not vaccination OR barrier gestures, but both”, she insisted, also referring again to more targeted checks by the Labor Inspectorate on respect for protocol. “We would all want to move on to something else but ultimately, wearing the mask, using the hydroalcoholic gel, respecting the distances, this is what will allow us to face this 5th wave while avoiding having more severe constraints She continued.
Telework “not excluded”
Asked about a possible tightening of the rules on teleworking if the situation deteriorates, she indicated that it was not possible “to exclude in principle answers for the future”.
The Minister visited the site where some 2,000 people work (out of around 14,500 employees in France in 2020) and had discussions with employees. They benefit from masks available at the entrance (with choice of colors), hydroalcoholic gel or even panels and screens recalling barrier gestures. They can also telecommute two days a week.