Private companies were reminded to actively do their part in preventing infections of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in their workplace as 39 areas in the country started shifting to alert level 1 Tuesday, March 1.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles told employers to comply with the measures set in order to prevent a possible surge following the downshift to the least restrictive alert level.

"Yung ating panawagan din sa mga kompanya, sa mga employers, sa corporations (Our call to companies, employers, corporations), to also be active in doing their part to prevent any infections doon sa inyong (in your) workplace," Nograles said during a press briefing.

He also reminded them to designate a health and safety officer to ensure that protocols are followed within the workplaces.

"Kaya nga po dapat meron kayong health and safety officer and dapat i-report din po, kabilang doon sa reporting requirement ng employers ang pag-report ng kanilang workers or empleyado na na-infect ng COVID (You should have health and safety officer and you must report, which is included in the reporting requirement, workers or employees infected with COVID)," Nograles said.

The Cabinet Secretary also expressed confidence that after more than two years of fighting the virus, Filipinos already know their responsibilities in religiously following minimum public health standards.

He also encouraged the private sector to reach out to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to comply with certain issuances on changes in workforce capacity.

Metro Manila and 38 other areas will be under alert level 1 from March 1 until March 15 while 66 areas are places under alert level 2 within the same period.

READ MORE: NCR, 38 other areas, placed under Alert Level 1 from March 1-15