A vial and a syringe are seen in front of a displayed stock graph and words “Omicron SARS-CoV-2” in this illustration taken, November 27, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/file photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) encouraged establishment owners to purchase carbon dioxide monitors after the government detected two cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in the country.
DOLE Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresita Cucueco said that establishment owners should comply with ventilation standards to avoid contracting COVID-19.
“‘Yung ventilation standards, kasi alam naman ho natin airborne ‘yan, tapos ‘yung mga enclosed workplaces kailangan ho talaga maganda ang bentilasyon,” she said during the Laging Handa briefing.
(The ventilation standards, we know that the virus is airborne, enclosed workplaces need to have good ventilation.)
“At ine-encourage na po namin sa safety seal na maglagay ng mga carbon dioxide monitors,” the official added, explaining that this equipment will show the level of carbon dioxide in a space.
(We encourage the use of carbon dioxide monitors.)
Cucueco said that they are raising awareness on the use of carbon dioxide monitors again to prevent possible Omicron infection.
“‘Yung (The) ventilation standards continue to be one of the minimum public health protocols that we continue to enforce very well,” she said.
“Because we are still in COVID and again, because of Omicron, we are again ini-increase ho namin ‘yung (increasing) awareness to all establishments to do this po,” Cucueco continued.
Aside from ventilation, Cucueco said that they are complying with the Department of Health’s guidelines such as adhering to minimum public health standards and strengthening the Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, Reintegrate strategy.
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