When it comes to workplace health, viruses are a constant source of concern.

Flu, colds, and more serious diseases like COVID-19 can all be easily spread through close quarters and shared surfaces, making it important to think strategically about what precautions you can take to keep yourself and your colleagues healthy. One key question is how far viruses can actually travel in an office setting. Here’s what you need to know.

What Factors Affect Virus Travel?

Before we dive into the specifics of how far viruses can travel in an office, it’s important to understand the factors that come into play. Some of the most significant include:.

Air flow: The way air moves through your office can play a big role in how far viruses can travel. For example, if you have a ventilation system that recirculates air throughout the space, that can increase the chances that viruses will spread.
The surfaces in your office: Viruses can linger on different surfaces for different lengths of time. Highly touched surfaces such as door handles, light switches, and keyboards can become a major transmitter of viruses around the office if people do not wash their hands regularly or disinfect the surface after touching.
The health of your colleagues: If someone in your office is sick, they’ll be more likely to spread viruses to people around them.
The size and layout of your office: The more confined your space, the more likely it is that viruses will spread from person to person. Spaces with poor ventilation and crowding of people should be avoided.
The length of time they’re airborne: Some viruses – such as COVID-19, preferentially spread through tiny droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can travel to others by hanging around and suspended in the air for varying lengths of time.

How Far Can a Virus Travel?

The range varies according to the virus and different circumstances. However, one study published in Indoor Air Journal found that bacteria and viruses released into the air via a cough or sneeze can travel as far as 26 feet away.

Furthermore, another study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that the distance by which SARS-CoV-2 variants spread was dependent on the type of activity, ventilation, and other factors.

Known for its factors to predicting viral transmission include space size, ventilation rate, and the duration of time people spend in a room, which is a very critical environment which could increase the virus transmission risk, resulting in an increased number of people getting infected who share the same space.

However, it is also important to note that while viruses can travel up to 26 feet, the majority of the droplets that come out of a cough or sneeze will settle within six feet of the source.

Best Practices for Reducing Viral Spread in Your Office

To keep your workplace as healthy as possible, there are several precautions you can take. Here are tips can help to minimize the spread of the virus in the work areas;.

Wash your hands: The best way to keep germs away is by washing your hands with soap and warm water frequently or regularly using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when there is no water. This is especially important after you’ve come into contact with shared surfaces that could be contaminated.
Cover your mouth and nose: Make sure to cough or sneeze into your elbow (and teach your coworkers to do the same), so you don’t spray droplets around the office.
Avoid touching your face: Viruses can enter your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth, so it’s especially important to avoid touching your face if you haven’t washed your hands yet.
Stay home if you’re sick: If you’re feeling under the weather, working from home can help you avoid infecting your coworkers.
Clean shared surfaces: Regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, phones, tables, and keyboards, using disinfectant wipes can reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
Maintain social distancing: Keep social distance – at least 6 feet from others to prevent conversation droplets transmission, or stay off from crowded places to minimize the spread.
In having a long time meeting: Open windows during meetings and avoid touching the face and high-touch surfaces, try not to eat or drink where droplets transmission were possible.
Encourage vaccination: Encourage your colleagues to take part in COVID-19 vaccination so that everyone is protected with herd immunity.

Conclusion

Viruses can travel surprisingly far in an office setting, especially if you’re not taking steps to contain their spread.

By understanding the factors that come into play and taking precautions to mitigate risk, you can help keep your workplace healthier and happier for everyone involved. By being more conscious about the risks, implementing good hygiene practices, practicing social distancing, and being mindful of your shared spaces, you can help to reduce the spread of infections in the office.