By Jean Fernando
Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez has released an order prescribing interim guidelines for establishments allowed to operate under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from May 16 to 31.
Olivarez issued an order for the purpose of mitigating, if not containing, the transmission of COVID-19 by allowing business establishments to operate in full or in limited capacities depending of the nature of their businesses, which are also subject to compliance with safety protocols and strict social distancing.
Lawyer Lanie Malaya, chief of the city's Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), said Olivarez wanted -- for the safety of the stakeholders -- that employers be required to have their workers tested for COVID-19 before they are allowed to report for work, by a testing center or facility accredited by the Department of Health (DOH) or the City Health Office.
Malaya also said employers must also continue to monitor all their workers and keep a record of their test results for inspection by the health office's designated safety officer.
She said non-compliance with the order will be a ground for summary suspension or revocation of the establishment's sanitation permit. and may warrant the imposition of criminal and administrative sanctions as may be found in pertinent laws, ordinances, and rules and regulations.
Olivarez also enumerated various guidelines that business establishments need to observe now that the National Capital Region is under MECQ.
These include the observation of health protocols prescribed by the Department of Health and the city health office, including sanitation stations in the office and work place entrances, the establishment of medical occupational health services, and decontamination of work places, among others.
For workplaces where workers have a high risk of infection such as health care and other frontline services, Olivarez said they must take extra-precautionary measures which include the strict use of personal protective equipment.
Olivarez also tasked the BPLO and the city health office to monitor and inspect whether business establishments are compling with the guidelines.
The barangays, according to Olivarez, were also empowered to inspect whether or not business establishments within their area of jurisdiction have been issued rapid test clearances by the city health office, and are in compliance with social distancing, availability of hand sanitizers and alcohol in the establishment, and wearing of face masks.
The mayor said any violation discovered by the barangay shall be endorsed to the BPLO for proper disposition.
Olivarez added that business establishments may commence operations without prior clearance from the city health office, and they have a period of seven days to conduct rapid COVID screening test on their employees.