Seasonal fruit pickers adhere to Covid-19 safety recommendations

Fruit picking season in Catalonia has begun, with many temporary workers already harvesting in masks and gloves as well as generously using hand sanitizer in following with the current health recommendations.

The Catalan government is yet to approve its health and safety protocol for these seasonal workers, but it is expected to pass the measure, which would include taking workers' temperatures at least twice a day, on Wednesday.

Besides temperature taking at the beginning and the end of work shifts – and isolating those with Covid-19 symptoms or temperatures over 37ºC –  laborers will be required to wash their hands frequently while there should also be hand sanitizer available at various locations on the worksite.  

The proposed protocol also puts forth regulations concerning workers' housing units, which will have to be cleaned and disinfected while ensuring that all beds and tables a meter and a half away from each other.

In addition to this, laborers will be advised not to use communal housing areas and to take off their shoes as soon as they return to their lodging after their shifts, as well as to immediately leave the clothes they have worn all day in the washing machine or plastic bags.