The labor and trade departments have released a list of "priority" workers who need to undergo RT-PCR or swab tests for COVID-19, as Metro Manila and its suburbs prepared to return to GCQ with fewer restrictions from Wednesday.
Employers are "encouraged to collaborate" with national and local government officials on testing, including drive-thru and walk-thru options, according to the memo signed by Labor Sec. Silvestre Bello III and Trade Sec. Ramon Lopez.
The priority workers are:
1. All employees in the hospitality and tourism sectors in El Nido, Boracay, Coron, Panglao, Siargao and other tourist zones, as identified and declared by the Department of Tourism once every four weeks.
2. All employees of manufacturing companies and public service providers in economic zones located within Special Concern Areas once every quarter.
3. Frontline and economic priority workers, defined as those who (1) work in high priority sectors, both public and private; (2) have high interaction with and exposure to the public; and (3) live or work in special concern areas, once every quarter. These workers include:
TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
- Drivers of taxis, ride hailing services (two and four wheels), buses, public transport vehicles
- Conductors
- Pilots, Flight Attendants, Flight Engineers
- Rail operators, mechanics, servicemen
- Delivery staff
- Water transport workers — ferries, inter island shipping, ports
FOOD RETAIL
- Waiters, Waitresses, Bar Attendants, Baristas
- Chefs and Cooks
- Restaurant Managers and Supervisors
EDUCATION (once face-to-face classes resume)
- Teachers at all levels of education
- Other school frontliners such as guidance counselors, librarians, cashiers
FINANCIAL SERVICES
- Bank Tellers
NON-FOOD RETAIL
- Cashiers
- Stock clerks
- Retail salespersons
SERVICES
- Hairdressers, Barbers, Manicurist, Pedicurist, Massage Therapists
- Embalmers, Morticians, Undertakers, Funeral Directors
- Parking Lot Attendants
- Security Guards
- Messengers
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, Receptionist
- Clergy
MARKET VENDORS
CONSTRUCTION
- Carpenters
- Stonemasons
- Electricians
- Painters
- Construction workers, including Foremen, Supervisors
- Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, Construction Managers
- Crane and Tower operators
- Elevator installers and repairers
WATER SEWERAGE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Plumbers
- Recycling and Reclamation workers/Garbage Collectors
- Water/Wastewater engineers
- Janitors and cleaners
PUBLIC SECTOR
- Judges
- Courtroom clerks, staff and security
- All national and local government employees rendering frontline services in Special Concern Areas
MASS MEDIA
- Field reporters, photographers, and camera crew
