Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 23) — As the country prepares for life after the enhanced community quarantine, businesses must also observe minimum health standards as part of new protocol, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said on Thursday.
“We need to have a new way of doing business to ensure that our significant gains during the ECQ and the collective efforts in flattening the curve will not be put to waste once ECQ is fully lifted,” he said.
Lopez said these standards include strict social distancing, wearing of face masks, presence of sanitation stations, taking of body temperature and provision of vitamins. These standards must always be observed in work and public places, he added.
“Likewise, the conduct of COVID-19 tests, provision of nearby accommodations and shuttle services, allowing more work-from-home arrangements, and healthcare preparedness and insurance from enterprises, should be the new normal as we ease into the new way of doing business,” he added.
According to Lopez, these measures will minimize the health risk among workers of essential enterprises and should be required once other sectors are allowed to operate again.
The Department of Trade and Industry, which Lopez heads, has also noted that several sectors, such as leading export-oriented manufacturing industries, have already adopted these practices, .
“These companies also distributed face masks and digital thermometers to employees at no cost, and set up ambulances, isolation tents, and clinics in their facilities,” the department said.
The DTI said it is working with the Health and Labor and Employment departments on new guidelines on minimum health protocols for all business operations. The guidelines are expected to be issued soon.
Luzon has been under an enhanced community quarantine since March 17. The lockdown has been extended to April 30.
President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce on Thursday whether he will extend, ease, or lift the quarantine.
