The labor and trade departments have released a list of "priority" workers who need to undergo RT-PCR or swab tests for COVID-19, as Metro Manila and its suburbs return to GCQ with fewer restrictions.
Employers are "encouraged to collaborate" with national and local government officials on testing, including drive-thru and walk-thru options, according to the memo signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
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Starting Aug. 15, Employees Will Be Required To Wear Face Shields At Work
The priority workers are:
1. All employees in the hospitality and tourism sectors in El Nido, Boracay, Coron, Panglao, Siargao and other tourist zones, as identified and declared by the Department of Tourism once every four weeks.
2. All employees of manufacturing companies and public service providers in economic zones located within Special Concern Areas once every quarter.
3. Frontline and economic priority workers, defined as those who (1) work in high priority sectors, both public and private; (2) have high interaction with and exposure to the public; and (3) live or work in special concern areas, once every quarter. These workers include:
TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
- Drivers of taxis, ride hailing services (two and four wheels), buses, and public transport vehicles
- Conductors
- Pilots, flight attendants, and flight engineers
- Rail operators, mechanics, and servicemen
- Delivery staff
- Water transport workers—ferries, inter island shipping, and ports
FOOD RETAIL
- Waiters, waitresses, bar attendants, and baristas
- Chefs and cooks
- Restaurant managers and supervisors
EDUCATION (once face-to-face classes resume)
- Teachers at all levels of education
- Other school frontliners such as guidance counselors, librarians, and cashiers
FINANCIAL SERVICES
- Bank tellers
NON-FOOD RETAIL
- Cashiers
- Stock clerks
- Retail salespersons
SERVICES
- Hairdressers, barbers, manicurists, pedicurists, and massage therapists
- Embalmers, morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors
- Parking lot attendants
- Security guards
- Messengers
- Ushers, lobby attendants, and receptionists
- Clergy
MARKET VENDORS
CONSTRUCTION
- Carpenters
- Stonemasons
- Electricians
- Painters
- Construction workers, including foremen and supervisors
- Civil Engineers, structural engineers, and construction managers
- Crane and tower operators
- Elevator installers and repairers
WATER SEWERAGE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Plumbers
- Recycling and reclamation workers and garbage collectors
- Water/Wastewater engineers
- Janitors and cleaners
PUBLIC SECTOR
- Judges
- Courtroom clerks, staff, and security
- All national and local government employees rendering frontline services in Special Concern Areas
MASS MEDIA
- Field reporters, photographers, and camera crew
