ESCO Social Distancing Protocols

ESCO PHARMACY takes the health and the well-being of all of our customers, staff very seriously. We are closely monitoring all developments of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) on a daily basis and have provided internal and external protocols to combat and prevent Covid-19. 

In an effort to minimize the transmission of the Covid-19, ESCO has decided to implement these social distancing guidelines effective immediately:  

• No more than 3 staff should be in the same area (Front reception, Counter, RX, Office) and all should be 6 feet from each other, if possible. 
• Essential Personnel are generally expected to report to work unless they are sick or suspect they have been exposed to virus. These staff members have already been designated as such; Some staff members are expected to work from home and remain on “standby”. 
• Employees absent from work during enforced social distancing will be compensated  as determined by ESCO and applicable state and federal mandates. 
• Employees are advised to stay home if you are feeling sick or do not feel comfortable coming to work. 
• Avoid meeting people face-to-face. Employees are encouraged to use the telephone, online conferencing, e-mail or instant messaging to conduct business as much as possible, even when participants are in the same building. 

• A face mask and disposable gloves are advised for employees who interact within 6 feet of clients or residents with cold like illness. 
• If a face-to-face meeting is unavoidable, the meeting time should be for a minimum period of time, in a large meeting room and no more than 5 participants should sit at least 6 feet from each other, if possible. 
• Avoid person-to-person contact such as shaking hands. 
• Do not congregate in office, kitchen, front reception or other areas where people socialize. 
• Eat at apartment up-stair, away from others.  

• Encourage customers to request information and materials or place orders via phone and website to minimize person-to-person contact. 
• When items or materials must be collected in person, have them ready for fast pick-up or delivery. 
• Telecommuting whenever appropriate, telecommuting arrangements will be made, on a temporary basis.

Outside activities 

ESCO encourages to the extent possible to: 

• Avoid using public transportation during rush-hour crowding (walk, cycle, or drive a car whenever possible). Alternatively, if possible, adjust your schedule to commute early. 
• Avoid recreational or other leisure classes, meetings, or activities where you might come into contact with contagious people. 
• Avoid handshaking as a means of greeting. Possible alternatives may include using a slight bow, elbow bump or toe kick when greeting others. 

• Use only your knuckle to touch light switches, elevator buttons, etc. 
• When opening doors (especially bathroom or other public area doors) or touching other public surfaces, use a paper towel, tissue or disposable glove. 
• Wash your hands before working shift, after break and frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer when handwashing is not possible. 
• Use general surface cleaning products or wipes to clean commonly touched surfaces. 
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a shirt sleeve or bent arm, not hands. 

• Toss out any Kleenex tissues after only one use. 
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouths with unwashed hands. 
• Stay home if sick – if you are feeling sick you should consider staying at your home. 
• Get the flu shot. Although the flu shot will not protect you from Covid-19, it will prevent the flu which has similar symptoms to this Coronavirus.  

For all updated information on Covid-19 please be sure to visit the NYC Department of Health at www.nyc.gov/health/coronavirus and the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus