The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) temporarily closed its central office and its regional office in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Friday, Jan. 14, and Monday, Jan. 17, amid the increasing number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the agency.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued a memorandum directing all heads of offices, services, and bureaus including the NCR regional office, to resume work on Jan. 18.
From a handful of cases at the start of the year, Bello reported that infected officials and staff of the department numbered 128 as of Thursday night, Jan. 14, or about 21 percent of DOLE's central office personnel of around 600.
Bello earlier directed all DOLE offices and attached agencies in areas with a surge in the number of COVID-19 infections to implement alternative work arrangements, including work from home, for their personnel.
"Skeletal workforce shall be limited to those performing or providing essential services," Bello said in an administrative order issued Jan. 11.
The work arrangements will take effect until Jan. 30.
Not included in the flexible work arrangements are personnel in the offices of the Secretary, undersecretaries, and assistant secretaries, and office of the directors.
Meanwhile, the labor chief also urged all officials and employees to continue observing public health standards and other safety protocols in the workplace to help curb the spread of COVID-19.