Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19

The guidelines on workplace prevention and control of COVID-19 applies to all facilities of the four Ateneo campuses and its affiliated units. It is intended to prevent and control the spread of the coronavirus in the workplace by providing specific safety and health measures in compliance with the joint interim guidelines given by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Trade Industry (DTI).

The University through its University Marketing and Communications Office (UMCO) shall utilize all the campus platforms like Blueboard, website, and social media, in disseminating valuable information related to COVID-19 awareness and prevention. All information will be taken from the Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization (WHO) and other reliable sources for information. The University Physician shall also establish a hotline or designated e-mail address for employees to report if they are symptomatic, and for daily monitoring of the condition of an employee suspected of having the virus.

The Ateneo faces the reality of having to manage both physical and virtual setups to continue its operations. The work-from-home arrangement is intended to minimize close contact among qualified employees until it is physically safe to return on campus. This arrangement is specifically for employees who are at least 60 years old or have comorbidities that could gravely put them at risk of contracting the virus. On the other hand, unqualified employees would be rendering a one workweek duty on a rotational scheme to minimize the number of people. The University has considered the fact that transportation may be difficult for many, therefore those relying on public transportation are enjoined to participate in a one workweek stay-in arrangement set by the Ateneo in which the board and lodging are free of charge to be able to assist employees in any way possible.

The University has implemented numerous workplace safety and health guidelines to guarantee the safety of all those on-site. To reduce the transmission of coronavirus, the Ateneo emphasizes the need for thorough and strict screening measures applied to all campuses — Loyola Heights, Rockwell, Salcedo, and ASMPH. This includes thermal scanning, wearing masks, and submission of health declaration forms.

Inside the workplace, it is crucial to abide by the recommended protocols in a working environment. Therefore, all doors and windows will be kept open at all times to minimize handling of doorknobs and to achieve efficient air room exchange. To promote sanitary practices, hand sanitizers will be made widely available in corridors and rooms. Everyone is expected to practice physicalsocial distancing, which requires a minimum of a two-meter radius space, at all times. To attain this, the maximum number of people allowed in an enclosed area shall be posted on the entrance doors and must be observed strictly. The Ateneo has also implemented guidelines in terms of mobility within buildings. For instance, for buildings with two accessible stairways, one shall be used for going up, the other for going down; although, for buildings that only have one staircase, the keep-right rule shall be imposed. Moreover, the use of the elevators are limited to persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, and senior citizens.

To promote physical and mental resilience, employees are encouraged to observe healthy lifestyles. The University through its different units and offices, help maintain a healthy environment through, but not limited to, the following: regular monitoring of the food choices and quality of food and beverages served in the cafeteria, testing of water quality in drinking fountains, organizing fitness activities, maintaining a smoke-free university, prohibiting the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs on campus.

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Steering Committee shall be the committee responsible overall for supervising, planning, evaluating, and managing the implementation of health and safety measures stipulated in the said guidelines. The University Physician, OSH Committee, and ARMU shall provide technical assistance to ensure compliance. To ensure that physical distancing and safety and health protocols in the workplace, Unit Heads shall assign Office Marshals on a rotational basis. Finally, the employees are expected to comply strictly with all the aforementioned safety and health measures in place for the prevention and control of the spread COVID-19.