The IATF has adopted new interim guidelines from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor to be observed by companies in order to prevent and control COVID-19 infections among its employees.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said this will be the “new normal.”
In his virtual press briefing on Thursday, Roque said there will be new work arrangements for employees, like working from home, and shift rotations.
He added that meetings that need physical presence must be kept short and only a limited number of employees must be allowed to attend. This is in compliance to the rule of physical distancing.
The use of video conference must be utilized instead for longer discussions, Roque said.
Here are the other guidelines to be followed:
• Wearing of face masks at all times
• Workstations to be arranged in accordance to physical distancing
• Barriers must be provided in between workstations
• Workstations should not face aisles or walkways
• Elevators will carry a limited number of passengers
• Use of stairways must be encouraged
Meanwhile, Roque said the national government continues to observe the same guidelines and measures when it comes to deciding whether or not to lift the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila.
“Ang guidelines po ay hindi nagbabago, ‘yong bilis ng pagkalat ng sakit, ang availability ng critical care,” he said. “Kung dati-rati dumodoble ang paglaganap ng sakit every two to three days, ngayon ay dumodoble siya every five to six days sa Metro Manila at seven days sa probinsya.”
[Translation: The guidelines are the same, how fast the virus spreads, and the availability of critical care. The cases used to double every two to three days, but now it doubles every five to six days in Metro Manila, and seven days in provinces.]
Roque said this is one possible basis to place Metro Manila under a general community quarantine (GCQ). However, he said it is still uncertain if all cities in the National Capital Region will be placed under GCQ, considering the number of cases each city has recorded.
The ECQ in Metro Manila, and other high-risk areas, was extended until May 15. The rest of the country is now under GCQ.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) — New safety guidelines will be imposed at the workplace in areas under enhanced and general community quarantine to avert the spread of the coronavirus disease, according to the government’s Inter-agency Task Force (IATF).
