Gov’t frontliners now allowed to take several paid self-quarantine leaves

MANILA, Philippines – Government frontline service workers will be allowed to take as many paid sick leaves whenever they would need to undergo self-quarantine due to possible exposure from COVID-19, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said.

CSC’s revised guidelines on the use of leave credits amid the COVID-19 outbreak dated April 2 showed that frontliners would be given excused absences for every instance that they need to quarantine themselves — which means that the absences would not be deducted from their leave credits

Those that may benefit from the revised rules include public health workers, immigration officers and consular offices, police personnel and other government officers assigned to checkpoints including those conducting patrol, and the frontline skeletal service of government agencies.

“For those under category 3.a.1 (Public Health Workers), the excused absence shall be allowed for every instance of required quarantine and/ or treatment due to repeated exposure to the disease while in the performance of their duties,” the revised guidelines signed by CSC chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala said.

Meanwhile, the 14-day self-quarantine that government officials will do after possible exposure to the latest coronavirus strain is still considered as an excused absence, and would not be deducted to their leave credits.  However, it would be charged against their leave credits if their travel was proven to be personal.

Those working on government hospitals still appear at risk of contracting the disease, as COVID-19 cases continue to pile up.

The rising number of cases has forced the government to extend the enhanced community quarantine all over Luzon until April 30.  Department of Health officials said that there are now 3,764 patients infected with COVID-19, 177 of which have already died, while at least 84 have recovered.

EDV