The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is encouraging regular coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing of workers with high chances of acquiring the disease.
This is provided for in the Joint Memorandum Circular of DOLE and the Department of Industry (DTI) since the transmission of COVID-19 usually happens in the workplace. In accordance with the expanded testing strategy of the Department of Health (DOH), priority workers need to undergo RT-PCR tests once a month or once every three months.
Priority workers include the hospitality and tourism sector, manufacturing companies and public service providers in economic zones under the special concern areas. The DOLE and DTI have also included the workers in the transportation sector, education, food retail, financial services and mass media.
The JMC indicates that the regular testing is “highly encouraged” and must be free for the employees. Establishments with assets reaching Php 15 million must have an isolation area, apart from the company clinic. Wearing of face masks, disinfection and physical distancing are also part of the protocol.
The memorandum also requires the provision of individual booths in smoking areas and the prohibition of conversing while smoking.
The DOLE has warned companies that it will order “stoppage of operation” for failure to comply with the protocols. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
