However, in a separate statement on Monday, DOLE said only workers exhibiting virus symptoms need to go through the RT-PCR tests.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16)— Workers in select sectors— including hospitality, tourism, and manufacturing— will be required to undergo regular real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for COVID-19 to avoid virus spread in workplaces, the Labor Department said Sunday.
In its latest advisory, DOLE said workers from the following sectors will be required to undergo RT-PCR tests: tourist zones, manufacturing companies, transport and logistics, food retail, education, financial services, non-food retail, services, public market, construction; water supply, sewerage, and waste management; public sector, and mass media.
The protocol forms part of the new government guidelines on COVID-19 control and prevention in the workplace, which took effect on Saturday.
The joint memorandum— released by the Trade and Labor departments— specifically mandated employees in the hospitality and tourism sectors in El Nido, Boracay, Coron, Panglao, Siargao, and other tourist zones as identified and declared by the Tourism Department to undergo the COVID-19 test once every four weeks.
The following, on the other hand, must be tested once every quarter: employees of manufacturing companies and public service providers in economic zones located within special concern areas; and frontline and economic priority workers.
“The strict observance of these health protocols will make a big difference in our long-drawn battle to defeat COVID-19 and ensure the productivity of the Filipino workforce,” DOLE said in its statement.
Aside from the regular testing, the government’s guidelines also required two-day lockdowns for workplaces with confirmed virus cases— in order to give way for disinfection of the premises.
Customers and visitors entering private establishments or business premises will likewise be required to fill up contact tracing forms. They will be asked to provide their full name, address, contact information, and date and time of visit, according to the guidelines.
It added that swab test is “highly” encouraged” for asymptomatic workers.
