Duterte OKs new health protocol in companies under MECQ

August 11, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the new health protocol in the workplaces in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the guidelines were approved after they were presented by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez in a meeting with the President in Davao City on Monday night.

The health protocols include:

* Shuttle service provision for bigger companies;

* No removal of mask and shields inside the shuttle;

* No dine-in in canteens - only packed food and deliveries;

* Ban common smoking areas, only individual smoking areas or booths in open space;

* Observance of physical distancing; there should be face mask/shield when confined inside a room with more than one person during meetings, and inside shuttle;

* Frequent hand washing and disinfection of areas;

* Getting temperature of workers and guests;

* Designation of health protocol officers plus formation of Occupational Safety and Health Protocol Committee to ensure stricter compliance of protocols per company;

* Training of workers on new health protocol standard; and

* More company visits and audits from the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and Local Government Unit.

The new health protocol in workplace in areas under MECQ came after the National Task Force Against COVID-19 found out that one of the two major places where virus transmission usually takes place is the workplace. The other one is at home.

NTF adviser  Teodoro Herbosa earlier cited that in some companies in economic zones, such as Laguna, they have found out that in the shuttle service,  employees talk or share food with each other. Thus, they lower their face masks.

Transmission of the virus also usually takes place in the canteen and common smoking areas, the NTF has said.

Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal have been under MECQ due to high cases of coronavirus. Celerina Monte/DMS