With the reduction in the number of positive COVID-19 cases, more painters are now returning to work on site and new COVID-19 protocols were implemented.
The Interagency Working Group on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (“IATF”) provided guidance on COVID-19 testing needs for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated personnel through its Resolutions 148-B and 149. In addition, the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program is open to the general public in the country. In order to aid the full vaccination of the Filipino population, the IATF stated that with sufficient evidence of a vaccination program shown, all personnel who want to be vaccinated during operating hours will not be considered absent. during this period.
In spaces where COVID-19 vaccine stocks are sufficient, as decided through the National Vaccine Operations Center, all public and private sector services and employers will be required to require their eligible employees, tasked with performing on-site work, to be vaccinated. . against COVID-19.
Eligible workers who have not yet been vaccinated cannot be fired for this reason alone. However, they must undergo normal RT-PCR testing at their own expense for on-site work purposes; provided that antigen tests can be used when RT-PCR capability is inadequate or unavailable.
All partially vaccinated employees, or those who have earned only their first dose in the public sector and personnel acting in the workplace, will not undergo the normal RT-PCR test at their expense, until their dose is currently due according to the period prescribed for the logo of the vaccine won as the first dose.
According to the Ministry of Health, the dosage varies depending on the vaccine. Vaccines for which an Emergency Use Authorization has already been issued through the Philippine Food and Drug Administration have the following dosage and frequency:
Periodic RT-PCR or antigen testing is still required for partially vaccinated personnel when all personnel or personnel at the site of a facility must undergo such testing according to the guidelines of the alert point formula. 19 Alert Level System, effective February 27, 2022, full vaccination of on-site personnel is required for all alert grades Alert Level 1.
As far as public navigation in the road, rail, sea and air sectors is concerned, full vaccination of its eligible personnel is a condition for the continuation of its operations.
The frequency of normal RT-PCR tests for on-site testing purposes is determined by the employer, but should be at least once every two weeks.
Only the presentation of a medical certificate issued through the Municipal Health Directorate, the Municipal Health Directorate and/or the Provincial Health Directorate, or the birth certificate, as the case may be, will serve as sufficient and valid proof of disqualification. for vaccination.
Read the latest factor from SyCipLaw’s employment and immigration update here or this link.
For information, please contact:
Ronald Mark C. Lleno, Partner, SyCip Salazar Hernández
[email protected]
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