THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will not remove the policy of requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before they are allowed to report for work onsite in their company.
According to DOLE Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresita Cucueco, director of the DOLE-Bureau of Working Conditions, the requirement will remain until the Inter-Agency Task Force releases a new directive about vaccination requirements for workers under Alert Level 1.
Cucueco clarified that employees can still work onsite provided that they will submit a COVID-19 test with a negative result.
The Labor official reiterated that even if companies under Alert Level 1 are now allowed to operate at 100-percent capacity, observance of minimum public health standards should still be maintained such as the wearing of a face mask.
Worksites are also obligated to provide proper ventilation.
Cucueco pointed out that non-compliance with COVID safety protocols will also be considered a violation of occupational safety standards such as installation of proper ventilation. However, violators will be given at least 90 days to comply.