The expanded risk-based testing for COVID-19 among at-risk individuals as identified by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Labor and Enployment (DoLE) shall be consistent with rules set by the Department of Health (DoH).
This was bared by a joint advisory dated Monday (August 17) and signed by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III. Manila Bulletin acquired the document Tuesday.
"Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the DOLE-DTI Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No.2020-04-A, Series of 2020 shall be read following and consistent with the (DOH) Department Memorandum (DM) Nos.2020-0258 and 2020-0258-A," the one-page advisory.
It followed the issuance of JMC No.20-04 series of 2020, or the DOLE-DTI Supplemental Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19. This JMC provided that regular swab tests be conducted on workers in the hospitality and tourism sectors, manufacturing companies, including frontline and economic priority employees as a way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces.
A swab test is also known as a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, or RT–PCR test. It is far more accurate than so-called rapid tests.
The August 17 advisory specifically identifies three sub-groups of workers along with their respective and prescribed regularity for such tests: Sub-groups H, I, and J1.
Sub-group H pertains to "all workers and 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 (DOT)," who "MAY (emphasis from the advisory itself) be tested once every four weeks," or once a month. This is the most frequent testing for the three sub-groups.
Meanwhile, workers falling under sub-groups I and J1 "MAY be tested every three months" or quarterly, as per the DOLE-DTI advisory.
Sub-group I refers to "workers and employees of manufacturing companies and public service providers registered in economic zones located within Special Concern Areas," while sub-group J1 covers "frontline and economic priority workers, defined as those (1) who 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."
"Finally, per Section IV.14 of the DOH DM No.2020-0258-A 'all testing facilities shall utilize the appropriate PhilHealth benefits and/or any benefit provided by Health Maintenance Organizations or Private Health Insurance for COVID-19 testing to reimburse the cost of testing," the advisory read.
Bello had earlier described the JMC, which took effect last August 15, as "so far the most comprehensive set of guidelines for the safety and protection of workers and employees in workplaces."
"The strict observance of these health protocols will make a big difference in our long-drawn battle to defeat Covid 19 and ensure the productivity of the Filipino workforce," he said.