The health and safety of your staff and customers is a key concern, especially in light of recent events. Now more than ever, the coronavirus crisis has meant that companies are prioritising health and well-being in the workplace. This newfound concern isn’t merely moral – it’s legal. Making workplaces ‘COVID-secure’ is integral to the safe re-opening of the economy planned by the government.

There are some hygiene measures the government and experts all agree on, such as frequent hand-washing, social distancing, and frequent deep cleaning. However, the question of air quality is a little more contested. Although there is clear evidence that coronavirus spreads less easily outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, whether or not the virus is airborne is a contentious issue amongst scientists.

What constitutes an ‘airborne’ virus?

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, most of us outside of epidemiology would have considered most viral infections like the common cold or flu to be transmitted through the air. However, if there’s one thing this crisis has done, it has made many of us more familiar with the science around how diseases spread.

Up until recently, most scientists have agreed that coronavirus is transmitted through droplets; that is, tiny amounts of fluid spread through coughs and sneezes that survive on surfaces. This is, in fact, the same for most strains of the common cold and influenza.

In contrast, an airborne virus is more like an aerosol. If a person coughs or sneezes, the virus can hang in the air and be inhaled by an unsuspecting individual. One example is chickenpox, and at the nastier end of the spectrum, anthrax.

Is coronavirus airborne?

Of course, the issue with airborne viruses is that they’re trickier to control. Unfortunately, there is more evidence emerging that coronavirus may be airborne. According to an open letter the World Health Organization published recently, <a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/05/who-underplaying-risk-of-airborne-spread-of-covid-19-say-scientists”>”239 scientists from 32 countries called for greater acknowledgement of the role of airborne spread of COVID-19 and the need for governments to implement control measures.”</a>

Although many scientists still insist droplets are the main vector for transmission, this report raises important questions. Even if droplets are the main way the virus spreads, the crisis has made us ask important questions about how we could prevent and/or prepare for another, different global pandemic.

How do you slow the spread of an airborne virus?

Although more challenging, it’s not impossible to stem the spread of airborne contagion. If the airborne transmission of coronavirus is found to be significant, we could see people wearing masks even where social distancing is enforced. Equally, ventilation will be even more important than before. Businesses and public buildings will need to modernise their air conditioning and ventilation systems to minimise re-circulating air, making sure indoor air quality is as high as possible.

A post-COVID-19 world

Although the jury is out on whether or not coronavirus are airborne, the debate has shown that workplaces need to take health measures seriously. Looking to the future, hygiene and air quality in all settings will be paramount – so in the wake of COVID-19, it seems many employers will be erring on the side of caution and investing now.