DOLE Releases Updated COVID-19 Prevention, Control and Reporting Protocols in the Workplace

To promote safe reopening of the economy and contain the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace, the Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”) in Labor Advisory No. 18, series of 2022 gave the following guidelines which shall apply to all establishments in the private sector:

Prevention, Detection and Isolation

The covered establishments shall comply with the Department of Health (“DOH”) Memorandum No. 2022-0013 or the Updated Guidelines on the Quarantine, Isolation, and Testing for COVID-19 Response and Case Management for the Omicron Variant, and the latest DOH issuances.

Good practice of detection strategies in workplaces shall also be observed as stipulated in Section VI (B) of DOH Administrative (“AO”) No. 2021-0043 or the Omnibus Guidelines on the Minimum Public Health Standards for the Safe Reopening of Institutions.

The covered establishments shall further adhere to the latest Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response and the DOLE Department Order No. 224, series of 2021 or the Guidelines on Ventilation for Workplaces and Public Transport to Prevent and Control the Spread of COVID-19.

Company policies on COVID-19 related testing, quarantine and isolation response shall be aligned with the abovementioned issuances. 

Reporting of COVID-19 Cases

The Safety Officers of covered establishments shall submit the list of COVID-19 cases and close contacts in their respective workplaces and their respective LGU and DOH for reporting, including investigation details on sources of transmission pursuant to Section VI (B)(3) of DOH AO No. 2021-0043.

Additionally, they shall submit the Employer’s Work Accident/Illness Report through the DOLE Establishment Report System pursuant to Labor Advisory No. 07, series of 2022.