AS areas begin to transition from being under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to general community quarantine (GCQ), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Sunday jointly issued the guidelines that private companies should observe to manage the risk of transmission of the novel coronavirus.
Testing for COVID-19 is not a requirement under the “Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19” signed by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
However, all employees are mandated to strictly comply with minimum health protocols for workplaces, employers, and workers, such as but not limited to the wearing of face masks, submission of a filled-up daily health symptoms questionnaire, and temperature monitoring. Employers shall provide face masks for workers, according to the guidelines.
Lopez said that while companies have the option to have their workers tested using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits before they report for work, “not all workers need to be tested.”
“The protocol is they should fill up a health declaration. If they’ve been exposed to a patient positive for COVID-19 or if they’re feeling unwell, that’s the time it should be protocol for them to be isolated and get PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-tested,” Lopez said in a statement.
Lopez said PCR-testing is targeted for COVID-19 suspects.
The guidelines set the standard procedure for employers on what to do if a worker or employee is suspected of having COVID-19, ranging from the isolation of the worker or employee, the protection of clinic personnel with personal protective equipment (PPE), the decontamination of the workplace and the PCR testing of the employee.
The company shall make arrangements with testing facilities and laboratories, as well as ensure that the affected worker has a health insurance coverage.
Lopez said equipment and vehicles entering operation areas should undergo disinfection process, and physical distancing must be observed in any long queues outside the office or store premises.
Inside the workplace, all work areas shall be cleaned and disinfected regularly at least every two hours, while sanitizers, clean water, and soap shall be made available for use. Gathering and eating together in communal areas is discouraged, and physical distancing should always be practiced in office workstations or in operational areas.
Alternative work arrangements like working-hour shifts and work-from-home (WFH) are also encouraged when feasible and on rotation basis. Meetings needing physical presence shall be kept to a minimum number of participants and with a short duration. If possible, video conference is encouraged for lengthy discussions.
Prolonged face-to-face interaction between workers and clients are discouraged. Establishment visitors must accomplish the ‘Visitor’s Health Checklist Form,’ which employers can access here at this the DOLE website.
In workplaces with high risk of infection like in healthcare and other frontline services, workers should take extra precautionary measures such as strict hygiene and the use of PPE.
If feasible, employers must also provide shuttle services and/or decent accommodation on near-site locations to lessen travel and people movement.
Most ‘at risk’ workers and vulnerable groups, or those 60 years old or of any age with co-morbidities or pre-existing illness, such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, or with immuno-compromised health status; or with high-risk pregnancy are encouraged to do work from home arrangement.
