Responding to COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019)

The COVID-19 crisis has been emotionally challenging for many people, changing the day-to-day life in unprecedented ways. The next phases of the outbreak are profoundly uncertain. Three broad economic scenarios might unfold: a quick recovery, a global slowdown, and a pandemic-driven recession.

How Can WE Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus?

Know How it Spreads - There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Maintain Standards of Cleanliness - Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Clean AND disinfect - Do this to frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Take steps to protect others - Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water or the like sanitizer or 60% alcohol.

Wear a facemask if you are sick. You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick. But the government has required everyone to wear one.

Encourage Social Distancing - As the virus appears to spread primarily through proximity, it is good practice to avoid unnecessary closeness. Work from home is highly recommended for particularly vulnerable people: those who are elderly, pregnant or immunocompromised or live with those who are.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news from reliable sources - During epidemics, rumors can spread fast and employers should provide employees with accurate information to avoid false panics.

Government response/updates

The Philippine Capital is currently on lockdown while Cebu is under community quarantine starting March 15. Flexible work arrangements are encouraged in the private sector following guidelines from the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry designed to safeguard the welfare of the workers.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will cover the cost of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 testing for individuals seeking treatment of the disease, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. This is on top of the state health insurance agency’s coverage for quarantine and isolation costs.

The Social Security System (SSS) is prepared to pay unemployment benefits to some 30,000 to 60,000 workers projected to lose their jobs as a result of the possible layoffs in or closures of private companies hit by the economic fallout from the fast-spreading of COVID-19.

SSS premium-paying members can avail themselves of the unemployment benefits equivalent to half of their average monthly salary credit for a maximum of two months. To qualify, they should have paid the requisite minimum number of monthly contributions for 3 years, 12 of which should have been made in the last 18 months.

You can also visit following government sites for more updates
www.philhealth.gov.ph
www.sss.gov.ph
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www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph
www.doh.gov.ph
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