DTI and DOLE’s Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19

Prior to entrance in buildings or workplaces

Inside the workplace

1. All employees and workers shall:
   1. Wear face masks at all times except when eating/drinking;
   2. Accomplish daily health symptoms questionnaire prior to entry;
   3. Have their temperature checked and recorded; and
   4. Spray alcohol/ sanitizer to both hands and disinfect shoes, if practicable.
2. Equipment or vehicle entering hub operational area must go through a disinfection process; and
3. Roving officers should instill physical distancing of one (1) meter in areas where there will be long queue.

For any personnel with temperature >37.5°C even after a 5-minute rest, or if the response to questionnaire needs further evaluation, the person shall be isolated in the designated area and not be allowed to enter the premises.

1. All work areas and frequently handled objects shall be cleaned and disinfected regularly, or at least once every two (2) hours;
2. All washrooms and toilets shall have clean water and soap;
3. Sanitizers shall be made available in areas where workers pass;
4. Workers shall practice physical distancing at minimum one (1) meter radius space (side, back and front) between workers;
5. Eating in communal areas is discouraged. If eating in individual work area is not possible, employer shall ensure that physical distancing is maintained; and
6. Canteen and kitchens should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.

In the event that a worker is suspected as having COVID-19

In the event that a worker is sick or has fever but is not suspected to have COVID-19

• Worker shall immediately proceed to the designated isolation area and never remove his/her mask;
• Clinic personnel attending to the workers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPEs) and if needed, should require transport of the worker to the nearest hospital. Company protocols for transport and PCR testing should be in place;
• Decontamination of workplace
• Workplace shall be decontaminated with appropriate disinfectant (e.g. chlorine bleaching solution and 1:100 phenol based disinfectant);
• Work can resume 24 hours after decontamination of work area;
• Workers present in the work area with suspected COVID-19 worker shall go on 14-day home quarantine. If the suspected worker tested negative, co-workers may be allowed to report back to work.

• Stay at home and keep away from work or crowds;
• Take adequate rest and take plenty of fluids
• Practice personal hygiene to prevent spread of disease; and
• Seek appropriate medical care if there is persistent fever, difficulty of breathing.

Employers’ Duties

Workers’ Duties

1. Provide necessary company policies for the prevention and control of COVID-19 taken from DOH, WHO and reliable sources of information;
2. Provide resources and materials needed to keep the workers healthy and the workplace safe (e.g. masks, soap, sanitizer, disinfectant etc.);
3. Designate safety officer to monitor COVID-19 prevention and control measures;
4. Enhance health insurance provision of workers;
5. Where feasible, provide shuttle services and/or decent accommodation on near-site location to lessen travel and people movement;
6. Enjoin the hiring from the local community; and
7. Put up a COVID-19 Hotline and Call Center for employees to report if symptomatic, and daily monitoring schemed of suspect employee condition.

1. Comply with all workplace measures in place for the prevention and control of COVID-19 such as frequent hand washing, wearing of masks, observing physical distancing;
2. Observe proper respiratory etiquette;
3. Cough and sneeeze into tissue or into shirt sleeve if tissue is not available;
4. Dispose used tissues properly; and
5. Disinfect hands immediately through proper washing with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer immediately after a cough or sneeze.