ILOILO – In workplaces allowed to operate, how should social distancing be observed under an extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)?
Managements must assign a full-time Occupational Safety and Health Officer who shall ensure that social distancing measures are followed, and who shall monitor the health condition of the employees and/or customers, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
In Executive Order No. 10 stretching the quarantine to May 15, Defensor stated that “at all times, a distance of at least 1.5 meters between persons shall be observed.”
He directed all establishments and work places allowed to operate to “follow strict social distancing measures.”
But how?
Social distancing, also called “physical distancing”, means keeping space between people in this time of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This is an essential step in slowing down the disease’s transmission.
In so far as practicable, according to Defensor, the following should be observed:
* At the entrance, health monitoring with thermal scanners shall be conducted, and disinfectants and quarantine foot baths provided.
* Person density shall be at one person for every 1.5 square meters of floor area. At all times, a distance of at least 1.5 meters between persons shall be observed. For restaurants, food chains and food stalls, person density shall be two persons per table, or one person for every 1.5 square meters of floor area, whichever promotes better social distancing.
* One-way traffic is enjoined in the movement and flow of staff/workers and customers.
* Staff/workers shall be provided with personal protective equipment such as facemasks, face shields, goggles and gloves.
* The management shall provide accessible wash areas with soap and disinfectants.
COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact for a prolonged period. Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
The droplets can also be inhaled into the lungs.
It may be possible, too, that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. The COVID-19 virus can live for hours or days on a surface, depending on factors such as sunlight, humidity, and the type of surface, according to the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Social distancing helps limit opportunities to come in contact with contaminated surfaces and infected people outside the home.
As part of his social distancing order, Defensor also prohibited the holding of public events/gatherings involving crowds or large number of persons such as, but not limited to, the following:
* local government unit events such as fiestas / socio-cultural activities, festivals, commemorative programs, inaugurations and assemblies
* school / academic institution events
* conventions, seminars, workshops, and general membership meetings
* birthday, anniversary, wedding and baptismal celebrations or receptions
* cultural / art performances and exhibitions
* trade expositions and product promotions
* spectator sports and contact sports
* family gatherings involving non-members of the household
* religious congregation
* funeral public viewing
Since people can spread the virus before they know they are sick, it is important to stay away from others when possible, even if one has no symptoms, according to health experts.
Social distancing is especially important for people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Section 14 of Defensor’s Executive Order No. 10 identified these people as the elderly, pregnant women and those suffering from diseases or with conditions/underlying medical problems including, among others, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, and immunosuppression./PN
