Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Saturday released a draft guideline and asked its members to follow them while running factories amid the coronavirus outbreak.

In the 17-page directive, the BGMEA urged the owners to initially employ workers who live close to factories. It also suggested not allowing workers who recently returned from villages to enter the factories until the second phase of operation ends.

At the initial stage, BGMEA said the factories may decide to partially open their finishing, sample, and sewing sections.

To ensure safe distancing, the association urged owners to follow a shifting system while employing workers. It also suggested early opening and late closure, suspension of unnecessary visit inside the factories, halt of using biometric attendance, and separate arrangements for those who are engaged in loading and unloading of goods.

Inside the factories, everyone should wear masks. The BGMEA also suggested making arrangements for washing hands at the entrance, spraying disinfectants on shoes and vehicles, and scanning body temperature at the gate.

The owners were urged to grant leave for those who developed coronavirus symptoms. Besides, there should be arrangements for paid leave for those who went on self-isolation after developing symptoms. The owners should strongly encourage workers to stay home if any of their family members have symptoms similar to coronavirus.

The governments on April 23 extended the general holidays until May 5 and permitted the owners to run their factories in limited scale maintaining safety and hygiene of the workers.