WHO discusses workplace safety amid COVID-19

by: Rowena Joy Flores

Measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission before going to work were discussed in a webinar conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines, September 1.

The webinar entitled “Waking up on a work day”, aimed to help employees and employers adjust to the new normal by tackling the subject of workplaces.

Deputy WHO representative to the Philippines Rodel Nodora anticipated that an increase of cases will come from the workplaces so the business sector should prepare.

Dr. Ivy Nolasco, the lead for non-pharmaceutical intervention of the WHO, said there is a need to assess one’s self and family members to identify risks of infection at home. She added that recognizing one’s own symptoms is needed to avoid infecting others.

“There are a lot of workplace transmission that happen because people binalewala yung isang kaunting sore throat, or ubo o kahit na mild fever (There are a lot of workplace transmission that happens because people neglect a little sore throat, or cough or even mild fever,)” said Nolasco.

When travelling, Nolasco said, avoid crowds, close spaces, and conversations in short distances.

“The prevention and the control of the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace begins at home, continues as we travel to and from work, and is the responsibility of both employees and employers,” Nolasco said.

Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Irineo Vizmonte said survey showed that most employees think the compliance in observing non-pharmaceutical interventions is low.

According to Vizmonte, people should have a “behavioral change in being conscious about wearing masks, washing hands, and observing physical distancing.”

Dr. Miguel Mantaring, medical officer of the Department of Health (DOH), stated that individuals should take command of their own protective behaviors.

“Just imagine, if at an individual level we can practice these self-protective measures already, then we really have no problem or worries of transmitting the virus elsewhere,” Mantaring said.

The webinar was the first part of the #ThisWorks webinar series of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) in cooperation with WHO, DTI, DOH, and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

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