JOINT MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. _20-04_
Series of 2020
DTI AND DOLE SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDELINES ON WORKPLACE
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF COVID-19
WHEREAS, by virtue of its powers vested in Article 162 of the Labor Code, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) promulgated the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSH) to protect every worker against the dangers of injury, sickness, or death through safe and healthful working conditions;
WHEREAS, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is mandated under Executive Order No. 292 dated 25 July 1987 as the primary coordinative, promotive, facilitative and regulatory arm of the Executive Branch of government in the area of trade, industry and investments, and shall act as catalyst for intensified private sector activity in order to accelerate and sustain economic growth;
WHEREAS, Section 2, Chapter II of Republic Act (RA) No. 11058 entitled “An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof,” expressly provides that it shall apply to all establishments, projects, sites, including establishments located inside special economic zones and...
JOINT MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 20-04
Series of 2020
DTI AND DOLE SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDELINES ON WORKPLACE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF COVID-19
I. Coverage (Section I)
- This Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) applies to all private establishments regardless of economic activity, including those located inside special economic zones and other areas under the jurisdiction of Investment Promotion Agencies.
II. Workplace Safety and Health (Section II)
A. Increase Physical and Mental Resilience
- Employers shall provide psychosocial support and promote work-life balance for employees. (II.A.1, II.A.2)
- Company policies should align with public health standards. (II.A.3)
B. Reducing Transmission of COVID-19
- Minimum public health standards: (II.B.1)
- Proper use of masks and face shields
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Frequent handwashing and disinfection
- Provision of handwashing stations, soap, sanitizers, etc. (II.B.2)
- Display of signages on hygiene behaviors (II.B.3)
- Large and medium establishments to provide shuttle services with health protocols. (II.B.4)
- Adequate ventilation inside workplace and shuttle services. (II.B.5)
- Conduct awareness programs on COVID-19 prevention. (II.B.6)
- Designated smoking areas with physical distancing. (II.B.7)
C. Reduce Contact
- Work-from-home for most-at-risk population and those below 21. (II.C.1)
- Restriction on mass gatherings based on risk classification. (II.C.2)
- Staggered meal schedules, no buffet set-ups, and dining protocols. (II.C.3)
- Minimize customer transactions to less than 15 minutes. (II.C.4)
D. Reduce Duration of Infection
1. Detection (II.D.1)
- Health Declaration Form and temperature checks
- Handling of Health Declaration Form per Data Privacy Act
2. Referral of symptomatic individuals to health facilities. (II.D.2)
3. Employers may contact DOH hotline for guidance. (II.D.3)
III. Management of Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Employees (Section III)
A. Remote Management of Cases and Close Contacts
- Employers to provide access to telemedicine services. (III.A.1)
- Large and medium establishments encouraged to provide telemedicine. (III.A.2)
B. Isolation and Referral
- Large and medium establishments to designate isolation areas. (III.B.1, III.B.2)
- Protocols for isolation area personnel and PPE use. (III.B.5)
- Protocols for transporting symptomatic employees. (III.B.6)
- Malls and buildings to have isolation areas. (III.B.7)
C. Contact Tracing
- Compliance with DOH protocols for contact tracing. (III.C.1)
- Definition of close contacts. (III.C.2)
- Contact tracing among workforce and use of CCTV. (III.C.3)
- Contact tracing of customers and visitors. (III.C.4)
- Referral of symptomatic individuals. (III.C.5)
D. COVID-19 Testing
- Employers encouraged to collaborate with testing efforts. (III.D.1)
- Priority workers for RT-PCR testing every 4 weeks or quarter. (III.D.2)
- Testing of symptomatic employees and close contacts. (III.D.3)
- No testing required for asymptomatic employees returning to work. (III.D.4)
IV. Occupational Safety and Health Committees (Section IV)
- Establishment of OSH Committees per RA 11058 and DO 198-18. (IV.A)
- OSH Committees to oversee enforcement of health standards. (IV.B, IV.C)
- Joint OSH Committee for multiple establishments in one building. (IV.D)
V. Notification and Reporting (Section V)
- Reporting of COVID-19 test results to DOH per AO 2020-0013. (V.A)
- Reporting of positive cases to local health offices per DM 2020-0189. (V.B)
- Compliance with Data Privacy Act. (V.C)
- LGUs to submit reports to Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Units. (V.D)
- Reporting to DOLE using Work Accident/Illness Report Form. (V.E)
VI. Disinfection and Closure of Buildings/Workplaces (Section VI)
- Disinfection protocols for one confirmed COVID-19 case. (VI.A)
- Definition of case clustering. (VI.B)
- Employers to develop policies on temporary closure for case clustering. (VI.C)
- Temporary closure following guidelines of National Task Force. (VI.D)
- Compliance with LGU directives on building closure. (VI.E)
VII. Leave of Absences and Entitlements (Section VII)
- Use of leaves governed by DOLE rules. (VII.A)
- PhilHealth hospitalization benefits. (VII.B)
- Social Security benefits. (VII.C)
- Employee's Compensation benefits per PD 626. (VII.D)
- Encouragement of sick leave benefits and medical coverage. (VII.E)
VIII. Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement (Section VIII)
- Monitoring by DOLE, DTI, and LGU Health and Sanitation Offices.
- Temporary closure for non-compliance.
IX. Separability (Section IX)
- Provisions declared unconstitutional shall not affect other provisions.
X. Repealing Clause (Section X)
- Inconsistent circulars, rules or regulations are repealed or modified.
XI. Effectivity (Section XI)
- JMC takes effect immediately upon publication and filing.
