DOLE releases guidelines for workers, businesses during month-long community quarantine in NCR

For self-employed workers, they will only be allowed to travel to and from the Metro provided that they show proof of business or economic activity at the border checkpoints. (File photo by Wayne S. Grazio/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) released on Saturday, March 14, supplemental guidelines for workers and businesses which will be affected by the month-long implementation of community quarantine in the National Capital Region (NCR) to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus.

According to Labor Advisory No. 11 series of 2020, workers who are residing outside NCR but work inside the metro, or vice versa, will be allowed to report for work as long as they present the following in checkpoints: an identification (ID) containing the company address and employee’s place of residence or certification of employment issued by the company which shall state the place of work.

DOLE said leaves of absences during the community quarantine period “shall be charged against the workers’ existing leave credits, if any.”

“Remaining unpaid leaves during the said period may be covered and be subject to the conditions provided in the DOLE’s proposed COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program,” the advisory read.

For self-employed workers, they will only be allowed to travel to and from the Metro provided that they show proof of business or economic activity at the border checkpoints.

For those delivering goods such as food and raw materials should present proof of delivery receipt wherein the address of the establishment to receive the good is stated.

DOLE, meanwhile, advised all manufacturing, retail and service establishments to remain in operation as long as they observe social distancing and other safety and health measures.

Healthcare facilities will still be fully operational during the community quarantine period and that their workers shall be allowed to travel from Metro Manila to other regions and vice versa.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier raised the COVID-19 alert in the country to code red sublevel 2, as the number of people being infected by the virus continues to rise.

Malacañang, also on Saturday, released a copy of a memorandum on “stringent social distancing measures” to be implemented during the 30-day Metro Manila community quarantine.

https://www.facebook.com/PresSpokespersonPH/photos/pcb.1110022189332832/1110021995999518/?type=3&theater

Under the memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea by order of President Rodrigo Duterte, this will take effect starting from “00:00 a.m. of March 15 until 00:00 a.m. of April 14.”