Laguesma to private firms: Align COVID policies with gov’t protocols
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday called on public companies to align their COVID-19 policies with relevant government issuances to ensure a “safe reopening” of the economy.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma said the private companies’ policies on COVID prevention, control, and reporting should be based on the government’s policies on the COVID pandemic.
In issuing Labor Advisory No. 18, Series of 2022, Laguesma particularly reminded private sector employers to report COVID-19 cases in establishments through the Employer’s Work Accident/Illness Report for proper monitoring. The said report is submitted every 30th of the month via the DOLE Establishment Report System, http://reports.dole.gov.ph/.
Further, establishments, through their Safety Officers, shall submit the list of COVID-19 cases and close contacts, including investigation details on sources of transmission, to the Department of Health (DOH) and their respective local government units. This is pursuant to the Omnibus Guidelines on the Minimum Public Health Standards for the Safe Reopening of Institutions issued by the DOH.
As proper ventilation is as important as the observance of minimum public health standards, the labor chief also reminded employers to ensure proper ventilation in workplaces and public transportation as spelled out in DOLE Department Order No. 224, Series of 2021.
The set of guidelines includes the installation and utilization of exhaust fans in indoor workplaces, restrooms, and water closets; ventilation in air, rail, land, and sea transport; and other measures to improve and maintain the quality of air in the workplace and public transportation.
In the same Labor Advisory, Laguesma likewise reminded private sector employers to comply with the latest guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response; and relevant DOH issuances, including DOH Memorandum No. 2022-0013 or the Updated Guidelines on the Quarantine, Isolation, and Testing for COVID-19 Response and Case Management for the Omicron Variant, and DOH Administrative Order No. 2021-0043 or the Omnibus Guidelines on the Minimum Public Health Standards for the Safe Reopening of Institutions.
