How Keralas IT Sector braces to fight covid-19

Author: Sneha Gopal
May 6, 2020

Overview

In India and around the world, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is evident across all sectors of the economy.  With  COVID-19 spreading rapidly around the world, the pandemic has not only affected the lives of hundreds of thousands of people but also demonstrated a growing impact on the global economy.

From companies chalking out ambitious growth plans for 2020 to re-inventing their everyday operating models-businesses including IT companies are navigating financial and operational challenges during the pandemic.

COVID-19 is pushing IT companies in Kerala and across the globe to address new priorities and challenges. Businesses need to rapidly operate in new ways ensuring workforce productivity, mitigating business continuity and security risks while laying a foundation for Business of Tomorrow.

What Measures Did Kerala Take To Prevent Coronavirus Outbreak?

India with a population of 1.3 billion has waged an exemplary frontline battle against  coronavirus despite numerous odds stacked against the nation. The picturesque southern state of India-Kerala has emerged to be the flagbearer of India’s fight against the Novel Coronavirus.

The state that encountered Covid-19 has managed to flatten the curve and contain the virus with one of the best recovery rates in the country.Kerala government has taken various measures to combat the spread of coronavirus in the state.

>>Rigorous Contact Tracing 

The state with the help of duty-bound officials and experts including health workers, Asha and ‘kudumbashree’ workers tracked and traced people coming from abroad and infected areas. Besides, persons who came in contact with the newly infected people were also 

isolated even if they had minor symptoms.

>>Route maps

Detailed route maps of the infected people were prepared, throwing light on every point (place and time) right from when he/she came in contact with an infected person or landed in India. Below shown is a route map of a family of three that tested positive in Pathanamthitta.

 

>>Quarantine Comfort

With abundant caution in place, Kerala started quarantining ‘suspects’ for 28 days with good facilities and care. Patients were  given meals of their choice, timely counselling and wi-fi. This  created a positive experience in times of distress and anxiety.  

>>Focus on Stress, Coping and Mental Health

Live counselling hotlines and multiple call centres are opened by the state government to provide stress relief, psychological support and keep a check on the mental health of patients and people who are home quarantined.

How Kerala’s IT sector is Battling Coronavirus?

Emerging as a significant growth catalyst for the Indian economy, the Information Technology industry has positively impacted the lives of scores of people in the country through abundant employment opportunities, excellent standard of living and much more.

IT Industry in Kerala

In stark contrast to the traditional industries in Kerala plagued by high production cost, poor  marketing and exporting, the IT industry is thriving in God’s own country. It is a key driver of economic growth in a state ideally suited for development of the IT industry. Factors like: 

  • High population density 

  • Highest literacy rate in the country

  • Availability of highly qualified and experienced resources 

fuel the growth of the IT sector in the state.

The IT sector of Kerala is spread across 10 IT Parks with world class  infrastructure facilities and provides employment to 2,00,000 people. The main IT hubs in the state include:

  • Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram

  • Infopark in Cochin

  • Cyberpark in Kozhikode 

  • Rural IT Parks (Technolodges) 

The impact of the pandemic (COVID-19) on business around the globe has been devastating. Right from buzzy startups to high-profile companies, the IT sector in Kerala has put its best foot forward to fight coronavirus. Let us take a look at the best practices deployed by the IT industry in Kerala to keep their employees safe while ensuring results are delivered to customers.

  • Implementing flexible working arrangements by allowing employees to work from home leveraging chat platforms, file sharing and project management tools, etc. This eliminates the possibility of transmission at the workplace and also during commutes.

  • Providing free masks and sanitizers in workplaces

  • Switching to online communication tools eliminating in-person meetings

  • Conducting virtual interviews 

  • Ensuring frequent cleaning and disinfecting of office facility

  • Businesses split employee shifts to ensure social distancing and prevent Coronavirus spread 

  • Notifying health authorities about employees starting to feel ill.

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