 "covid, corona, coronavirus")
With Kerala contributing to the majority of Covid-19 cases in the country, Kitex Garments at Kizhakkambalam in Eranakulam district has devised a three-pronged defence strategy – modern medicine, homeopathy and ayurveda – to keep the virus at bay.
Kitex is the world’s second largest manufacturer of children’s apparel with 11,000 employees. About 8,000 have been housed in a dormitory within the factory premises. And Sabu M Jacob, promoter and managing director, explains how they are taking cover from Covid.
Zincovit is being provided in order to boost immunity; there’s Arsenic Album as a preventive homeopathic. And a mixture of 12 ayurvedic medicines is being combined with drinking water as an additional immunity booster. The firm has also deployed four doctors on campus for health check-ups. So far, all this appears to be working, as no Covid case has been reported at the factory.
Rising cases have put India Inc on guard; fresh advisories on Covid-appropriate behaviour are resurfacing and companies across the board are “closely monitoring” the situation.
About 2-3 weeks ago, Jindal Steel & Power had issued an advisory to staffers for following Covid- appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks. Now it’s being made a must at plants and offices.
"The company is organising regular Covid-19 testing and screening at its corporate offices in the wake of the recent spike in cases," said Karan Sandhu, Chief People Capability Development Officer, Jindal Steel & Power.
At ITC, Amitav Mukherji, Head, corporate human resources, said the company had reinforced precautions with a fresh health advisory to employees that covers recommendations like mask usage (N95/FFP2) in crowded settings, taking the seasonal flu vaccine along with the full schedule of anti-Covid vaccines in accordance with the advice of a physician.
Tata Motors has advised employees to adopt all safety measures such as wearing masks in crowded places, washing hands etc, apart from not reporting to work if feeling sick or showing any flu-like symptoms.
Tata Steel is regularly running awareness campaigns on wearing masks, social distancing and other Covid-related guidelines. "We have not seen a major increase in the number of Covid cases at the organisation level, but we are monitoring the situation carefully," the company said.
Tata Steel is regularly running awareness campaigns on wearing masks, social distancing and other Covid-related guidelines. "We have not seen a major increase in the number of Covid cases at the organisation level, but we are monitoring the situation carefully," the company said.
Companies are also looking for cues in government guidelines. An ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) spokesperson said, “We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with government authorities against the backdrop of rising Covid cases in the country.” It is also engaging with employees to 'SMS'-–sanitise, mask-up, maintain social distancing.
In Tamil Nadu, the government has indicated that masks would not be made mandatory until Covid cases touch 500 per day. So, manufacturing units are in wait-and-watch mode.
Sivaswamy Sakthivel, executive secretary, Tirupur Exporters Association, said no cases had been reported and there were no directions from the district authorities. “Normal protocols like screening or masking were being followed.”
Ditto for Ambattur, South Asia's largest small-scale industrial estate. “The government has not announced any measures. Unless it issues a notification, we will not be able to come up with our guidelines,” said T Nalangilli, president, Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association.
A senior Ashok Leyland official said the firm was closely following the gpvernment's directions. “All our employees have been vaccinated. We aren't seeing any major issues with the current wave."
Three years on, companies are better placed to deal with the virus. Most employees too have been fully vaccinated. So, even with the rise in Covid cases, there is status quo in the work model.
Tata Steel said it was still continuing with the agile work model that it had introduced during the pandemic wherein people have the flexibility to work from home or office based on business requirements. Tata Motors, too, had been in hybrid-mode at office locations and continues with it.
ITC’s Mukherji said the hybrid work model continues where employees can work from home up to two days in a week.
Covid scenario
India has been seeing a surge in Covid-19 cases of late, with active cases now close to 60,000. The country reported 10,093 cases in the past 24-hours, with an active case tally of 57,542, shows Union Health Ministry data.
Several states have brought back the mask mandate for the elderly. The number of daily cases touched 10,158 according to figures reported on Thursday. This is the highest since August 26, 2022, when it touched 10,256. Deaths have risen too. Over 100 people died of Covid-19, shows weekly data shows as of April 13. Experts like senior virologist Jacob John have said this is the endemic stage and the 'new normal' in the Covid journey.
Several states have brought back the mask mandate for the elderly. The number of daily cases touched 10,158 according to figures reported on Thursday. This is the highest since August 26, 2022, when it touched 10,256. Deaths have risen too. Over 100 people died of Covid-19, shows weekly data shows as of April 13. Experts like senior virologist Jacob John have said this is the endemic stage and the 'new normal' in the Covid journey.
