The Department of Energy (DOE) has released a guideline for energy firms as Metro Manila transitions to general community quarantine (GCQ) this week.
The DOE issued an Administrative Order prescribing how the energy sector could gradually open up their operations after two months of postponement due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) will be the implementing body for this directive.
“It is imperative for the energy industry to observe a strict COVID-19 response protocol,” as he emphasized that “protecting the occupational health and safety of our employees is central to the unimpeded delivery of energy goods and services,” DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi was quoted in a report.
“As back-liners during this pandemic, we must remain healthy to keep providing vital energy to all our front liners,” he added.
Cusi explained that the simulation planning for the energy industry went as far as visualizing a situation wherein there is a coronavirus contagion in the power plant facility.
Nevertheless, the best approach for the companies and agencies is to ensure that prevention is still possible. Preventive measures include testing before allowing the return of their employees to the workforce, as well as providing a different working scheme such as work from home and implementing skeletal workforce. In addition, there must also be a mandatory wearing of masks and temperature checks before entering the facility.