It’s the last quarter of 2021, which means it’s only a little under two years since the coronavirus pandemic took the world by storm. In that short time, multiple COVID-19 vaccines have been developed and disseminated to health centres across the globe. According to Our World in Data (2021), 49.1% of the global population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to date.

There is enough data to believe that the United States can proceed with the new normal, which is why cities, schools, and businesses alike that were forced to close down at the start of the pandemic have begun to reopen to the public. But while everything is seemingly returning to some semblance of normalcy, it won’t hurt to still be wary of your safety.

That’s why you should prioritize your health and safety because you’re still existing in a global pandemic. Even if you’re already fully vaccinated against the virus, there is still a chance that you’ll be infected if you come into direct contact with someone who has tested positive. These days, you can never be too sure.

So, if you have doubts about your safety now that you’re returning to the office for work and walking freely on the streets every day, there are measures you can take to stay COVID-19-free. Here are three ways you can stay safe and healthy despite existing in a global pandemic:

Disinfect Your Workplace Regularly

When you’re in the office all day, there will be minimal chances of you being exposed to the virus. After all, the only people in your office will be your colleagues and clients, if there are any. But this is not a sign that you should be lax when disinfecting and cleaning your entire workplace.

If you’re not confident that your workplace is being cleaned properly, you can always take matters into your own hands. To address this, you can hire commercial cleaning services that you can rely on to disinfect common surfaces and minimize the possibility of contracting the virus inside the office.

You don’t have to spend too much to make your workplace safe, but you also shouldn’t skimp for the sake of saving money. It might be best to shop around for professional cleaners that you believe are dependable enough because your work should never come at the cost of your safety and well-being.

Minimize Face-to-face Interactions

Even if you’re already working in the office, it doesn’t mean that you should conduct everything on a face-to-face basis. There is plenty of online collaboration and videoconferencing tools that you can use for your meetings, projects, or other activities with your colleagues. But of course, it won’t apply to every situation.

So if you can’t avoid meeting face-to-face, you should at least try to reduce the frequency of your interactions. Limit your face-to-face meetings to a maximum of three or four a day, or even less if it’s possible. Plus, you can consider meeting in open environments instead of enclosed rooms, as the virus can spread faster in tight spaces.

However, if you can’t avoid having to meet a lot of people in a sealed room, then at the very least, you should keep a sanitizer by your side so you can disinfect your hands more often. This way, you’ll know that you are doing everything you can to keep yourself and everyone around you safe.

Follow COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Lastly, even if you’re fully vaccinated, there’s nothing wrong with complying with the COVID-19 safety protocols implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The human body may be innately resilient, but it can still be vulnerable to lethal virus strains like COVID-19.

Remember that prevention will always be better than cure, especially since there is still no cure for the coronavirus. So, until that day comes, you have to follow the safety protocols such as frequently washing your hands, socially distancing from other people, and looking out for any potential symptoms.

If you’re not sure when you’re going to be in a public indoor space, it might be best if you can keep a mask that you can use inside your bag. This way, you’ll always be prepared in case you find yourself in a sticky situation. Treat your sanitizer like a best friend that you can’t bear to be away from because it might end up saving your life.

Wanting to stay safe and healthy amid a global pandemic does not make you paranoid. But even if it does, at least you know you’re doing what you can to fight against the virus that’s taking thousands of lives across the world in the process. So, don’t stop being wary of your surroundings because your life depends on them.