EXPORTERS are told to adopt new health protocols in their business operations as the country gears up for post-enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) scenario.
This developed as exporters are also expected to get some reprieve post -ECQ.
Secretary Ramon Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the agency will issue a joint administrative order with the health, labor, transport and public works departments an order imposing minimum health standards in the operations of exporters.
These include strict social distancing, wearing of face masks, presence of sanitation stations, taking of body temperature, and provision of vitamins in work and public places.
Lopez said non-compliant companies will be meted with penalties.
Lopez said these companies will also conductnew coronavirus disease 2019 tests and provide nearby accommodations and shuttle services for those who will report from work but where applicable, should allow for more work-from-home arrangements.
Lopez said these measures must be exercised in order to minimize the health risk among workers as essential enterprises conduct their operations.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Assistance and Reprieves Planning Group (ARPG) is now preparing for the authority’s business continuity plans containing relief measures after the ECQ period on April 30
Charito Plaza, PEZA director-general has released Memorandum Circular 2020-023 providing assistance to ecozone registered enterprises.
These include a 90-day deferment of rental payments, public ecozones Cavite Economic Zone, Mactan Economic Zone, Baguio City Economic Zone and Pampanga Economic Zone; 30-day deferment of payment of utilities in the public ecozones; . 90-day grace period for old unpaid accounts; deferment ofpayment of processing fees.
The DTI has also been working with the health and labor departments to issue the new set of guidelines on the minimum health protocols in all business operations.
Lopez acknowledged the importance of continuing working-from-home arrangements where possible to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Joey Concepcion, presidential adviser for entrepreneurship, bared ProjectARK (Antibody Rapid Test Kits) Massive Rapid Testing
for use of private companies to their workers and to residents in communities where their businesses are located.
The initiative will help identify persons with antibodies against the virus and possible convalescent plasma donors.
Data generated will enable businesses identify which of its workers are fit to go back to work.
