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Workplace Readiness For Covid-19: Interim Guide
Workplace Readiness For Covid-19: Interim Guide
FOR COVID-19
INTERIM GUIDE
PART 3 as of MAY 26, 2020
SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY....................................................................................................................... 5
RETURN TO WORK.................................................................................................................................... 21
RESOURCES: ............................................................................................................................................. 35
The following are the new DOH case definitions for notification which transitions the reporting of PUI and
PUM to Suspect, Probable, and Confirmed COVID-19 cases. These definitions are consistent with the latest
WHO Global Surveillance for COVID-19 disease interim guidance (as of March 20, 2020). Thus, the
COVID-19 Surveillance System, through the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, will capture and detect cases
through the enhanced influenza-like illness (ILI) and expanded severe acute respiratory infection (SARI)
sentinel surveillance systems, notification from hospital and laboratory facilities, and event-based
surveillance and response.
SUSPECT CASE is a person who is presenting with any of the conditions below:
a. All SARI cases where NO other etiology fully explains the clinical presentation.
b. Individuals with influenza-like illness (ILI):
a. With no other etiology that fully explains the clinical presentation AND history of travel to
or residence in an area that reported local transmission of COVID-19 disease during the
14 days prior to symptom onset OR
b. With contact* to a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 disease during the 14 days
prior to the onset of symptoms
c. Individuals with fever or cough or shortness of breath or other respiratory signs or symptoms and
under any of the following conditions:
(i) aged 60 years and above,
(ii) with a comorbidity,
(iii) assessed as having high-risk pregnancy, or
(iv) a health worker.
PROBABLE CASE
CONFIRMED CASE
A. Any individual irrespective of the presence of clinical signs and symptoms who was laboratory-
confirmed for COVID-19 in a test conducted at the national reference laboratory or subnational
reference laboratory, or a DOH-certified laboratory testing facility
*Contact as defined by the WHO Global Surveillance for COVID-19 disease interim guidance (as of March
20, 2020) is a person who experienced any one of the following exposures during the 2 days before and
the 14 days after the onset of symptoms of a probable or confirmed case:
1. Face-to-face contact with a probable or confirmed case within 1 meter and for more than 15 minutes;
2. Direct physical contact with a probable or confirmed case;
3. Direct care for a patient with probable or confirmed COVID-19 disease without using proper PPE; OR
4. Other situations as indicated by local risk assessments
Note: For confirmed asymptomatic cases, the period of contact is measured as the 2 days before through
the 14 days after the date on which the sample was taken which led to confirmation.
The Occupational Health Physician, whether part-time or full-time, who shall be responsible for promoting
and maintaining the health and well-being of the workers, shall have the following duties and functions:
1. Organize, administer and maintain an occupational health service program integrating therein an
occupational safety program;
2. Continually monitor the work environment for health hazards through periodic inspection of the
workplace;
3. Prevent diseases or injury in the workplace by establishing proper medical supervision over
substances used, processes, and work environment;
4. Conserve the health of the workers through physical examinations, proper advice for placement
and health education;
5. Provide medical and surgical care to restore health and earning capacity of injured workers;
6. Maintain and analyze records of all medical cases and to prepare and submit to the employer
annual medical reports, using form DOLE/BWC/OH-47, as required by this Standards;
7. Conduct studies on occupational health within his means and resources;
8. Act as adviser to management and labor on all health matters;
9. And report directly to top management in order to be effective.
1. In the absence of a physician, to organize and administer a health service program integrating
occupational safety, otherwise, these activities of the nurse shall be in accordance with the
physician;
2. Provide nursing care to injured or ill workers;
3. Participate in health maintenance examination. If a physician is not available, to perform work
activities which are within the scope allowed by the nursing profession, and if more extensive
examinations are needed, to refer the same to a physician;
4. Participate in the maintenance of occupational health and safety by giving suggestions in the
improvement of working environment affecting the health and well-being of the workers; and
5. Maintain a reporting and records system, and, if a physician is not available, prepare and submit
an annual medical report, using form DOLE/BWC/HSD/OH-47, to the employer, as required by this
Standards.
1. Give immediate temporary treatment in case of injury or illness, before the services of a physician
becomes available. If the case needs a physician, the first aider shall immediately call or refer the
injured to one;
2. Participate in the maintenance of occupational safety and health programs, if a member of the
Safety Committee; and
3. Maintain medical services and facilities.
1. Advise the employers, the workers and their representatives in the workplace the necessary
requirements in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful working environment which will
facilitate optimal physical and mental health for workers;
The Health and Safety Committee is the planning and policymaking group in all matters pertaining to safety
and health. The principal duties of the Health and Safety Committee are:
Health and Safety committees play very important roles in eliminating work hazards. Developing workers’
interest and participation in the planning and development of safety program is the responsibility of the
employer. The employer must exercise the necessary leadership and provide support to make the program
work. The principal duties of the employer are:
1. Establishes and adopts in writing administrative policies on safety in conformity with the provisions
of this Standards outlining therein his responsibility and authority delegated.
2. Reports to the enforcing authority in two (2) copies of the policies adopted and the health and safety
organization established to carry out the program on safety and health within one month after the
organization or reorganization of the health and safety committee.
3. Reports to the enforcing authority having jurisdiction at least once in every three (3) months,
counting from January, the health and safety program of the organization out- lining the activities
undertaken including its safety performance, health and safety committee meetings and its
recommendations and measures taken to implement such recommendations.
4. Acts on recommended measures by the health and safety committee by adopting the elements of
the health and safety program in the production process or workplace and in case of non-adoption
of the Health and Safety Committee’s recommendation, to inform the committee of his reasons.
SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY
a. Health is a key development objective that is the shared accountability of the government,
communities, households, and individuals.
b. A whole-of-system, whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach is essential to develop
cohesive solutions to current and future challenges to public health and national security.
c. All efforts shall espouse the government’s strategic directions of national government-enabled,
local government-led, and people-centered response to the COVID-19 health event.
The Hierarchy of Controls is a system used to deploy effective controls within an organization, workplace,
or community to identify the most effective ways to control a hazard. Occupational safety and health
professionals use a framework called the “hierarchy of controls” to select ways of controlling workplace
hazards. In other words, the best way to control a hazard is to systematically remove it from the workplace,
rather than relying on workers to reduce their exposure. During a COVID-19 outbreak, when it may not be
possible to eliminate the hazard, the most effective protection measures are (listed from most effective to
least effective): engineering controls, administrative controls, safe work practices (a type of administrative
control), and PPE. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of control measure when
considering the ease of implementation, effectiveness, and cost. In most cases, a combination of control
measures will be necessary to protect workers from exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
ELIMINATION
MOST SUBSTITUTION Requires a Installation of
EFFECTIVE physical change physical barriers,
to the sneeze guards,
workplace HEPA filters,
ventilation etc.
Protocols, policies
Change the on physical
way people distancing,
work handwashing etc.
I. ENGINEERING CONTROLS
Isolating workers from work-related hazards. In workplaces where they are appropriate, these types of
controls reduce exposure to hazards without relying on worker behavior and can be the most cost-
effective solution to implement. Engineering controls for SARS-CoV-2 includes:
ELIMINATION and SUBSTITUTION are the most effective under the engineering controls. However, they
tend to be the most difficult to implement and challenging as it may not be possible to eliminate and
substitute as this time.
Administrative controls require action by the worker and employer. Changes made to the way that people
work. Typically, administrative controls are changes in work policy or procedures standards, and processes
to reduce or minimize exposure to a hazard. Examples of administrative controls for SARS-CoV-2 include:
Refers to protective garments or equipment worn by individuals to increase personal safety from infectious
agents. PPE is only one effective measure within a package of administrative and environmental and
engineering controls, as described in WHO’s Infection prevention and control of epidemic- and pandemic-
prone acute respiratory infections in healthcare.
PPE protects the user against health or safety risks at work. It can include items such as safety helmets,
gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses. It also includes
respiratory protective equipment, such as face masks.
Detailed listing of the different minimum requirements of PPE based on risks can be seen at
https://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/health-update/ao2020-0015.pdf and the rational use of personal
protective equipment for coronavirus disease https://www.who.int/publications-detail/rational-use-of-
personal-protective-equipment-for-coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-and-considerations-during-severe-
shortages
FACE COVERINGS
A face covering can be very simple and may be worn in enclosed spaces where social distancing isn’t
possible. It just needs to cover your mouth and nose. It is not the same as a face mask, such as the surgical
masks or respirators used by health and care workers. Similarly, face coverings are not the same as the
PPE used to manage risks like dust and spray in an industrial context. Supplies of PPE, including face
masks, must continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against risks in their workplace,
such as health and care workers, and those in industrial settings like those exposed to dust hazards.
It is important to know that the evidence of the benefit of using a face covering to protect others is weak
and the effect is likely to be small, therefore face coverings are not a replacement for the other ways of
managing risk, including minimizing time spent in contact, using fixed teams and partnering for close-up
work, and increasing hand and surface washing. These other measures remain the best ways of managing
risk in the workplace and government would therefore not expect to see employers relying on face coverings
as risk management for the purpose of their health and safety assessments.
The risks from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), for workers
depends on how extensively the virus spreads between people; the severity of resulting illness; pre-existing
medical conditions workers may have; and the medical or other measures available to control the impact
of the virus and the relative success of these measures.
Worker risk of occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 during a pandemic may depend in part on the
industry type and the need for contact within a meter of people known to be, or suspected of being, infected
with SARS-CoV-2. Other factors, such as conditions in communities where employees live and work, their
activities outside of work (including travel to COVID-19-affected areas), and individual health conditions,
may also affect workers' risk of getting COVID-19 and/or developing complications from the illness.
A risk assessment is not about creating huge amounts of paperwork, but rather about identifying sensible
measures to control the risks in your workplace. Whether you have fewer than five workers, or are self-
employed, your risk assessment will help you decide whether you have done everything you need to do.
I. IDENTIFY HAZARDS
Look around your workplace and think about what may cause harm (these are called hazards).
Think about:
• How people work and how plant and equipment are used.
Look back at your accident and ill health records as these can help you identify less obvious hazards. Take
account of non-routine operations, such as maintenance, cleaning or changes in production cycles.
Think about hazards to health, such as manual handling, use of chemicals and causes of work-related
stress. For each hazard, think about how employees, contractors, visitors or members of the public might
be harmed.
VULNERABLE WORKFORCE
High risk pregnancy, 60 years old and above, any age with co-morbidities or pre-existing illness
(uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, recurrent asthma attacks, COPD, cancer, blood
dyscrasias, chronic liver and kidney diseases or with immunocompromised status)
Employers are highly encouraged to allow work from home, alternative workplace accommodation,
working hour shifts.
Comorbidity at risk of COVID-19 exacerbation - presence of one or more additional conditions co-
occurring with (that is, concomitant or concurrent with) a primary condition that increases an individual’s
risk for if afflicted by COVID-19. This includes immunocompromised individuals (such as but not limited to
those with cancer, HIV/AIDS and other autoimmune disorders) and individuals with chronic conditions (such
as but not limited to hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease).
Once you have identified the hazards, decide how likely it is that someone could be harmed and how
serious it could be. This includes taking reasonable steps to protect your workers and others from
coronavirus. This is called a risk assessment and it’ll help you manage risk and protect people.
This is assessing the level of risk.
Decide:
You must:
• Identify what work activity or situations might cause transmission of the virus;
• Think about who could be at risk;
• Decide how likely it is that someone could be exposed;
• Act to remove the activity or situation, or if this isn’t possible, control the risk.
To reduce workplace risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level by taking preventative measures.
Look at what you’re already doing, and the controls you already have in place. Ask yourself:
Put the controls you have identified in place. You’re not expected to eliminate all risks, but you need to do
everything ‘reasonably practicable’ to protect people from harm. This means balancing the level of risk
against the measures needed to control the real risk in terms of money, time or trouble.
• Administrative controls include ensuring resources for infection prevention and control (IPC)
measures, such as appropriate infrastructure, the development of clear IPC policies, facilitated
access to laboratory testing, appropriate triage and placement of patients, adequate staff-to-patient
ratios, and training of staff.
• Environmental and engineering controls aim at reducing the spread of pathogens and the
contamination of surfaces and inanimate objects. They include providing adequate space to allow
social distance of at least 1-2 m to be maintained between patients and between patients and
health care workers and ensuring the availability of well-ventilated isolation rooms for patients with
suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
Health and safety committee together with employers (top management) human resources, line managers,
pandemic response team, labor union and other key people to work together to address the pandemic
concerns.
WORK AREA
You should think about how you can organize your work area so that you can keep people at least 1- 2m
apart, where possible:
• Physically arrange work areas to keep people 1- 2 m apart;
• Where you cannot keep a 2 m physical distance, you should think about:
o Mark areas using floor paint or tape to help people keep a 1-2 m distance;
o Provide signage to remind people to keep a 1-2 m distance;
o Avoid people working face-to-face, for example working side-by-side.
• Assigning one person per work area;
• Reducing the number of people in the work area;
• Assigning and keeping people to shift teams (sometimes known as a cohort), that is people on the
same shift working in the same teams, to limit social interaction;
• Keeping the number of people working less than 2 m apart to a minimum;
• Using screens to create a physical barrier between people.
MOVING AROUND
You need to think about how people travel through work environments.
• Permit only essential trips within buildings, sites and properties, to maintain social distancing as
much as possible.
• Restrict the amount that people rotate between jobs and equipment.
• Limit the number of people who use lifts and work vehicles.
• Reduce the number of people in high traffic areas including lifts, corridors, turnstiles and
walkways.
• Mark areas using floor paint or tape to help people keep a 1-2 m distance.
• Consider introducing temporary pedestrian walkways to allow people to maintain social distancing
when moving around.
You should review the common areas used in your business including canteens, toilets, showers, and
changing facilities. You need to think about:
Where you cannot keep a 1-2 m physical distance, you need to think about how to keep common areas
clean and prevent transmission as a result of touching of contaminated surfaces. You should think about:
• How frequently you need to clean the common areas of your business;
• Identifying objects and surfaces that are touched regularly and decide how frequently you clean
them;
• Setting clear guidance for the use of rest areas, toilets, showers, and changing facilities to make
sure they are kept clean.
GOOD HYGIENE
• Ensuring that you have handwashing facilities that provide running water, soap and paper towels;
• Providing hand sanitizer in addition to washing facilities;
• Using signs and posters to increase awareness of good handwashing technique;
• Providing regular reminders on avoiding touching your face and to cough/sneeze into your arm;
• Providing hand sanitizer in multiple locations in addition to washrooms;
• Setting clear guidance for the cleaning of toilets, showers and changing facilities to make sure they
are kept clean;
• In applying this guidance, employers should be mindful of the particular needs of different groups
of workers or individuals.
• It is breaking the law to discriminate, directly or indirectly, against anyone because of a protected
characteristic such as age, sex or disability.
• Employers also have particular responsibilities towards disabled workers and those who are new
or expectant mothers.
• Encouraging visits via remote connection or remote working for visitors where this is an option.
• Limiting the number of visitors at any one time.
• Determining if schedules for essential services and contractor visits can be revised to reduce
interaction and overlap between people, for example, carrying out services at night.
• Maintaining a record of all visitors, if this is practical.
BEFORE REOPENING:
To make sure that any site or location that has been closed or partially operated is clean and ready to
restart, including:
• An assessment for all sites, or parts of sites, that have been closed, before restarting work.
• Cleaning procedures and providing hand sanitizer, before restarting work.
• Checking whether you need to service or adjust ventilation systems, for example, so that they do
not automatically reduce ventilation levels due to lower than normal occupancy levels.
• Most air conditioning systems do not need adjustment, however where systems serve multiple
buildings or you are unsure, advice should be sought from your heating ventilation and air
conditioning (HVAC) engineers or advisers.
• Positive pressure systems can operate as normal.
To keep the workplace clean and prevent transmission by touching contaminated surfaces.
• Frequent cleaning of work areas and equipment between uses, using your usual cleaning products.
To reduce transmission through contact with objects that come into the workplace and vehicles at the
worksite.
• Cleaning procedures for the parts of shared equipment you touch after each use, thinking about
equipment, tools and vehicles, for example, pallet trucks and forklift trucks.
• Encouraging increased handwashing and introducing more handwashing facilities for workers
handling goods and merchandise or providing hand sanitizer where this is not practical.
• Regular cleaning of vehicles that workers may take home. Regular cleaning of reusable delivery
boxes.
To change the way work is organized to create distinct groups and reduce the number of contacts each
worker has.
• As far as possible, where people are split into teams or shift groups, fixing these teams or shift
groups so that where contact is unavoidable, this happens between the same people.
• Identifying areas where people have to directly pass things to each other, for example, job
information, spare parts, samples, raw materials, and find ways to remove direct contact, such as
through the use of drop-off points or transfer zones.
WORK-RELATED TRAVEL
To help workers delivering to other sites such as factories, logistics sites or customers’ premises to maintain
social distancing and hygiene practices.
• Putting in place procedures to minimize person-to-person contact during deliveries to other sites.
• Maintaining consistent pairing where two-person deliveries are required.
• Minimizing contact during payments and exchange of documentation, for example, by using
electronic payment methods and electronically signed and exchanged documents.
• Providing clear, consistent and regular communication to improve understanding and consistency
of ways of working.
• Engaging with workers and worker representatives through existing communication routes to
explain and agree any changes in working arrangements.
• Developing communication and training materials for workers prior to returning to site, especially
around new procedures for arrival at work.
To make sure all workers are kept up to date with how safety measures are being implemented or updated.
• Ongoing engagement with workers, including through trade unions or employee representative
groups to monitor and understand any unforeseen impacts of changes to working environments.
• Awareness and focus on the importance of mental health at times of uncertainty. The government
has published guidance on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Using simple, clear messaging to explain guidelines using images and clear language, with
consideration of groups for which English may not be their first language.
• Using visual communications, for example, whiteboards or signage, to explain changes to
production schedules, breakdowns or materials shortages to reduce the need for face-to-face
communications.
• Communicating approaches and operational procedures to suppliers, customers or trade bodies to
help their adoption and to share experience.
a. Ensure access to basic needs of individuals, including food, water, shelter and sanitation.
b. Support adequate nutrition and diets based on risk.
c. Encourage appropriate physical activity for those with access to open spaces as long as physical
distancing is practiced.
d. Discourage smoking and drinking of alcoholic beverages.
e. Protect the mental health and general welfare of individuals.
f. Promote basic respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
g. Protect essential workforce through provision of food, PPE and other commodities, lodging, and
shuttle services as necessary.
h. Provide financial and healthcare support for workforce who contracted COVID-19 through
transmission at work.
i. Limit exposure of most at risk population groups, such as through limitation in entry or
prioritization in service or provision of support.
j. Provide appropriate social safety net support to vulnerable workforce for the duration of the
COVID-19 health event.
We support the statement made by the WHO, PMA, PSMID, PCP, PAFP, PSPHP,
PSGIM, Covid 19 Action Network, and other stakeholders on their stand in the
proper use of rapid anti body test for clinical or public health purpose.
Thank You.
Room 106 Philippine Medical Association Building, North Avenue, Quezon City
+632- 89297741 * Mobile: +639989545338 / +639258175026 / +639176276246
pcomsecretariat@gmail.com / pcomsecretatriat@yahoo.com / pcom@skydsl.com.ph
Website: www.pcom.ph
Phil M. Pangilinan, MD The Philippine College of Occupational Medicine recognizes the urgent need to look into
President timely and accurate testing as an essential part in slowing down the pandemic and
hopefully will be able to detect asymptomatic cases that could hinder the further spread of
the virus.
Margaret L. Leachon, MD
Vice-President To date, these IgG/IgM tests aka rapid test kits has its advantages, disadvantages and
limitations. It is dependent on the detection of antibodies made by the patient in response to
Anna Sofia Victoria S. Fajardo, MD SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease. These tests do not detect the virus
Secretary and thus it is not recommended as screening tool for early infection let alone used to
screen workers prior to the return to work in the workplace.
Marilen Evangeline M. Cruz, MD These antibody tests may have a place in detecting unrecognized past infection and
Treasurer immunity however that role needs to be rigorously evaluated. PCOM acknowledges that
further review and assessment following closely the advice of leading international and
Arnold P. Tabun, Jr., MD local institutes, tests which have been validated through proper quality control before
Auditor deciding if at all they have a place in our overall approach to managing COVID -19 at the
workplace.
Neil P. Rodrigo, MD However, we also acknowledge the DOH DM 2020-0220 interim guidelines on return to
PRO work issued last May 11, 2020 stating the "option" of using the FDA approved rapid
antibody tests among representative samples for baseline can also be conducted up to
every 14 days. And the Rapid Antibody based test is only an adjunct test and shall not be
used as a standalone test to definitely diagnose or rule out COVID-19" ( ref: DOH DM
2020-0180 revised interim guidelines on expanded testing for COVID19, April 17 2020)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
That being said the use of these test kits as a mandatory protocol for companies before
Joseph L. Alunes, MD returning back to work is not advocated. The DOLE DTI interim guidelines also states that
Ricardo T. Balagot, MD e e " a e e f COVID 19 c f h he DOH c .
Roberto Arturo P. Del Prado III, MD
We support the statements made by the WHO, Philippine Medical Association, Philippine
Evelio A. Echavez, Jr., MD College of Physicians, Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases,
Jude O. Jundis, MD Philippine Society of General Internal Medicine, Philippine Academy of Family Physicians,
Claire B. Miñoza, MD Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, and COVID-19 Action Network on their
Jovencio J. Padilla, MD stand in the use of rapid antibody tests for clinical or public health purposes. These tests
Reynold M. Sta Ana, MD have yet to be thoroughly evaluated backed up with evidence based medicine.
Maria Antonia O. Yamamoto, MD
Edmyr M. Macabulos, MD
JOSEPH L. ALUNES, MD, FPCOM
Immediate Past President National Director
Room 106 Philippine Medical Association Building, North Avenue, Quezon City
+632- 9297741 * Mobile: +639989545338 / +639258175026 / +639176276246
pcomsecretariat@gmail.com / pcomsecretatriat@yahoo.com / pcom@skydsl.com.ph
Website: www.pcom.ph
The decision to test should be based on clinical and epidemiological factors, prioritizing those with risk and
especially exposure. Screening protocols should be adapted to local capacity and setting, considering
resources are limited in our country, choosing the screening test or strategy could make or break our
response to this pandemic.
PCR or Polymerase chain reaction remains the “gold standard” of test for COVID. Serological tests or
Rapid Antibody tests can have a potential use in retrospective assessment of attack rates which is the
number of new cases of the disease at a given time over population at start of time interval. It can also be
used for research and surveillance but are not recommended for case detection. This will be true in areas
where validation and standardization process for this test is available, which is not the case in our country
at present.
Furthermore, antibody testing needs paired serum sampling to aid its validity. Another very important
limitation of this test is its high cross reactivity with other viruses especially the Coronaviruses, hence
challenging its specificity. A table below also describes the variability of the test’s sensitivity depending on
the timing which is very tedious to document in the midst of asymptomatics.
Upon evaluation of limited available data on Rapid Antibody testing, a joint statement was made by the
experts of the Philippine Medical association, the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine. Philippine
College of Physicians, Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Philippine Academy of
Family Physicians, Philippine Society of General Internal Medicine, Philippine Society of Public Health
Physicians to still advocate and recommend the 14 – day clinical test for screening of return to work.
DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
• AO 2020-0012: Guidelines for the Inclusion of COVID-19 in the List of Notifiable Diseases for
Mandatory Reporting to the Department of Health
• AO 2020-0013: Revised AO2020-0012 Guidelines for the Inclusion of COVID-19 in the List of
Notifiable Diseases for Mandatory Reporting to the Department of Health dated 17 March 2020
• AO 2020-0014: Guidelines in Securing a License to Operate a COVID-19 Testing Laboratory in
the Philippines
• AO 2020-0015: Guidelines on the Risk-based Public Health Standards for COVID-19 Mitigation
• AO 2020-0016: Minimum Health Capacity Standards for COVID-19 Preparedness and Response
Strategies
• AO 2020-0018: Guidelines on Contracting Province-Wide & City-Wide Health Systems
• AO 2020-0019: Guidelines on the Service Delivery Design of Health Care Provider Networks
• JMC 2020-0002: Privacy Guidelines on the Processing and Disclosure of COVID-19 Related
Data for Disease Surveillance and Response
• JMC 2020-0016: Guidelines on the Use of Telemedicine in COVID-19 Response
• JMC No. 2020-0001: Price Freeze Under a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines due to
COVID-19
• JMC No. 2020-03: Guidelines on the Implementation of Joint DOH-DTI-DA-DOJ-BOC Circular
No. 001 (S2020) on Seizure and Related Proceedings for Goods Necessary to address the
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency pursuant to RA 7581, as amended by RA 10623, otherwise
known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to the Bayanihan to Health As One
Act
DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR:
OSHA
• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
CDC
• Interim Guideline No. 1: Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing
Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission
WHO
• 3rd Edition Manual Laboratory Biosafety Manual
RITM
• March 15 Guidelines: Interim Biosafety Guidelines for Laboratories Handling and Testing SARS-
COV-2 (COVID-19) Specimen
DOH
• Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 11332
• IRR for Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern
Act
DILG
• Department Memorandum No. 2020-0189: Updated Guidelines on Contact Tracing of Close Contacts
of Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Cases.
https://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/health-update/dm2020-0189.pdf
• Administrative Order No. 2020-0015: Guidelines on the Risk-Based Health Standards for COVID-19
Mitigation. https://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/health-update/ao2020-0015.pdf
• http://www.oshc.dole.gov.ph/images/OSH-Standards-2019-Edition.pdf
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html
• https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5eb965d5d3bf7f5d3c74a2dd/working-safely-during-
covid-19-factories-plants-warehouses-
110520.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0PJ_fZ4wdLrlbs2EgFeuuHrHpicgoxKD_2CsMICmfmxgWZPGD8HYfj6-Y
• https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/hazardrecognition.html
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/steps-needed-to-manage-risk.htm
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/assets/docs/working-safely-guide.pdf
• https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/doh-modifies-classification-of-covid-19-cases/ar-
BB12xoHH?li=BBZAn2m
• https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331498/WHO-2019-nCoV-IPCPPE_use-2020.2-
eng.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2N3NQVnP11SMTwqcgSFsuoYOu5WoKFM7VO8f-QJdCWyWk0bpLEiutQyN8
• https://ehs.cornell.edu/campus-health-safety/occupational-health/covid-19/covid-19-hierarchy-controls
(Disclaimer: Pertinent information were lifted from different sources to avoid misinterpretation of
content)
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