Construction workers and other employees of an infrastructure project must stay in their quarters for the duration of the project covered by the enhanced and general community quarantines (ECQ and GCQ) as a preventive measure against the coronavirus diseases (COVID-19).
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the announcement after the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allowed public and private construction work and infrastructure projects during the quarantine period to help the economy.
Based on the guidelines issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and read by Roque in his press briefing Monday, there shall be an inventory of works for the construction sequencing to be followed and undertaken to maintain social distancing.
Clustered and staggered deployment of employees within the construction site shall be observed.
Employees should be in their respective quarters for the entire duration of the project covered by the ECQ and GCQ. Otherwise, other preventive measures shall be conducted at every instance of reentry.
Break times shall be conducted in a staggered manner.
Errands to be conducted outside the construction site premises shall be kept to a minimum while the number of personnel running errands shall be limited, properly disinfected, and closely monitored for symptoms within 14 days upon re-entry.
Field offices, employees’ quarters, and other common areas shall be regularly disinfected.
Concessionaires, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers shall provide in–house personnel adequate food, safe/potable drinking water, disinfectants, and hand soaps
The health conditions of workers should be monitored daily. Personnel with symptoms relative to COVID-19 shall be quarantined for 14 days and brought to the nearest COVID-19 treatment facility, if necessary.
Meanwhile, work activities shall be strictly monitored by the Safety Officer to ensure compliance with safety standards and quarantine protocols. (Argyll Geducos)