LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Gov. Melchor D. Diclas ordered the lockdown of the Provincial Capital and the suspension of work on January 21, 2022 to allow the implementation of sanitation and disinfection activities following the spike in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases among employees of the provincial government over the past several weeks.
In his memorandum to all department heads and all other chiefs of offices, the governor stated that only the designated safety officers in each of the offices and the members of the disinfection team will be allowed at the Capitol premises for the conduct of the through sanitation and disinfection of the different offices.
He added that employees are barred from entering the Capitol building during the weekend and that no overtime shall be rendered at the time that the government facility is under lockdown.
The local chief executive advised the employees and the public that regular work at the Provincial Capitol will resume on Monday, January 24, 2022 after the thorough sanitation and disinfection shall have been fully implemented by the provincial health Office and the provincial Engineering office.
However, Diclas clarified that offices whose functions involve the delivery of health services, emergency response, or the performance of other vital services should continue with their respective operations and render the necessary services to the public.
He reminded the officials and employees on their strict observance of the workplace safety guidelines to defer the rapid transmission of the deadly virus among them and their clients, especially with the emergence of the more infectious and more transmissible Omicron variant.
When inside the workplace, employees had been advised to disinfect all areas and frequently handled objects such as door knobs and handles, telephones, printers, biometrics machines, copiers and other should be cleared spaces where the same must be done every 2 hours.
Further, tables and chairs must be cleaned or disinfected before and after use as well as at the end of the work day. Canteens, kitchens, dining areas and all other common areas should be disinfected regularly.
Diclas stipulated that all washrooms and toilets should have sufficient clean water and soap and that frequent handwashing and the use of sanitizers after using the same is a must.
Moreover, workers and clients were reminded to practice physical distancing at a minimum of 1-meter radius space between each other.
The local chief executive claimed that it is best for the workers to eat in individual work areas and that all waste should be properly disposed.
Diclas asserted that workers are to engage in conversation with each other and their clients with masks at all times and that they have been directed to limit or postpone face to face meetings, conferences, and workplace gatherings.
He underscored that employees must also ensure adequate air exchange in indoor spaces and offices by opening their windows.
On the other hand, when inside vehicles, they were advised to avoid air conditioning and that they simply open the car windows to allow air to freely enter their vehicles at all times.