Employees urged to maintain ‘distance’ in workplace

FILE: Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III during a press conference on Thursday (Sept. 27, 2018), which is held at the DOLE main office in Intramuros, Manila. (PNA photo by Gil Calinga)

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Saturday advised workers to maintain their distance with each other in their respective workplaces as part of the government’s efforts to help contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) transmission.

In Labor Advisory No. 11, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III encouraged the social distance measure as well as the flexible work arrangements for private sector companies.

“In view of the COVID-19 pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization thereby raising the Code Alert System to Code Red Sub-level 2 and pursuant to the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the following guidelines are hereby issued to help ensure containment of COVID-19 transmission through the adoption of flexible work arrangements and observance of strict social distancing measures, i.e, at least one (1) meter radius between and among workers,” he said.

He added that the adoption of flexible work arrangements under Labor Advisory No. 09, Series of 2020, includes, but not limited to, other work arrangements, such as telecommuting work from home, reduction of work days/hours, rotation of workers and forced leaves.

It added that such arrangement which is a better alternative to outright termination of the services of the employees or the total closure of the establishments.

“All manufacturing retail and service establishments are advised to remain in operation during the community quarantine period, provided that social distancing and other safety and health measures are strictly observed.

The leaves of absence 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 Labor Advisory added.

As for the workers who are living outside Metro Manila but employed in the National Capital Region (NCR), they will be allowed to report to work, but have to present proof of employment and residency.

Employees are advised to present Identification card (ID) containing the company address/place of work and employee’s place of residence or Certification of employment issued by the company which shall state the place of work.

“The same shall apply to residents in Metro Manila who work in nearby cities and/or municipalities outside the National Capital Region,” Bello said.

On the other hand, those who are self-employed will be allowed to travel to and from the NCR provided they will present proof of business or economic activity at border checkpoints.

Those delivering goods such as food, raw materials, etc., will be allowed to enter Metro Manila, provided that they present proof of delivery receipt stating the address of the goods’ recipient.

“All healthcare facilities shall be fully operational and their employees shall be allowed to move form Metro Manila to other regions and vice versa,” it added.

The community quarantine in Metro Manila will begin on Sunday which means land, domestic sea and domestic air travel to and from the region will be suspended.

So far, there are 64 Covid-19 cases in the country with eight deaths.