In the said guidelines, workers and employers are required to follow total precautionary measures as the country struggles with the containment of the deadly COVID-19. This is in pursuit of President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to let the ECQ expire in several areas in Luzon last 30 April and will eventually allow around 1.5 million workers get back to their jobs, notwithstanding the extension of the ECQ in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON until May 15.
Among the salient features of the guidelines are as follows:
- Before entering the workplace, all employers and workers must have face masks worn at all times and only removed when eating/drinking. (To be provided for by the employer)
- All are required to accomplish daily health symptoms form, undergo temperature check, and have them recorded in the health symptoms questionnaire.
- Employers must provide the DOLE, the monthly reporting of illness, diseases, and injuries utilizing the DOLE Work Accident/Illness Report Form (WAIR).
- Disinfecting must be done on equipment or vehicles entering the establishments, including facilities, and touched objects, such as doorknobs and handles, at least once every two hours.
- Observe physical distancing at all times.
- Observe proper respiratory etiquette and disinfection protocols.
- Eating in communal areas are discouraged.
- Meetings that require physical presence musts be reduced or avoided.
- Private establishments are mandated to implement alternative work arrangements, such as working-hour shifts, work from home, where feasible, and on a rotation basis.
- A worker suspected of having COVID-19 must be brought to the nearest hospital, if needed.
A work agreement is required to be developed by employers which would detail the deliverables from these employees and there shall be no diminution in wages or benefits.
It is important to note that according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the said guidelines are aligned with the minimum health standards of the Department of Health.
