Although the Dutch government has decided to ease some of the measures to control the spread of the Corona virus, maintaining a distance of six feet will remain. What does this mean when we gradually return to our offices? How do we ensure that we keep the right distance from our colleagues? And how do we get a feel for what exactly is a distance of six feet? The Proximity badge is the answer to these questions.
The first steps have been taken to get our “normal” life back on track and some people are gradually returning to the office. Facility managers, building owners, CEOs, IT departments and HR managers are busy furnishing the office according to the new guidelines. It is an inescapable fact that one will have to stay six feet apart until a vaccine is developed against the virus. Most offices are fitted with prevention screens and a more spacious layout so that the distance of six feet can be guaranteed, such as walking routes (one-way traffic) and signaling on the floor. Despite all these measures, people continue to fall into old behavior and forget about staying six feet away, especially at unguarded moments. How do you adjust this behavior? How do you remind your employees to keep their distance?
How does the Proximity badge work?
To ensure the safety of every visitor to the office, Evalan has developed a Proximity badge that indicates when you are too close to another. The Proximity badge is a small device that, just like a name badge, can be pinned or clipped on clothing or worn with a cord around the neck or wrist. The device has a LED light that lights up when another person comes too close to you. The light turns orange when someone is closer than two meters and turns red and flashes when someone is less than six feet away. The light on the badge reminds the person that he or she is getting too close and must step back.
Adjusting habits and behavior within the office
The main goal is to adjust the behavior of the visitors of the building and remind them to stay six feet apart. Every time you see the LED light up on the device of the person you’re talking to, you know you have to take a step back. The badge can be applied until people are used to keeping a safe distance from others within a room. The device is easy to use and can be offered as a stand-alone device or fully integrated into the badge that employees and visitors already wear.
