Traders asked to test employees regularly for COVID-19

CEBU CITY –– Business owners in the three major cities in Cebu were urged to conduct regular testing of employees to provide a safe environment for people amid the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Edmun Liu, chairman of Project Balik Buhay (PBB), said it is the main responsibility of businessmen to protect their workers and customers.

“PBB wanted to find a way to save lives and the livelihood of people while not making it difficult for businesses to reopen. I hope before reopening and going back to work, the health standards in the workplace as well as testing employees, even not all of them, will be done,” he said in a press statement.

“We have to remember that when we go back to work, everyone should be safe. We are ready to work and we are ready to do our part,” he added.

The PBB, which previously conducted massive rapid testing in the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue, is set to be revived. This time, it will focus on the reopening of local businesses.

Liu said PBB would work with medical experts and business groups to discuss all possible options on the kind of tests to be made available for businesses.

“We will all have to learn how to live with this virus, especially when there is still no available vaccine yet,” he said.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who was appointed by President Duterte to oversee the government response to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Cebu province and city, backed the program as it helps continue the downtrend in the number of infections in the three cities.

“I am encouraged by that (PBB) move, I support it. I (will) encourage other government agencies to have it too,” he said.

Cimatu said PBB’s template, the first in the country, could be replicated in other places so local governments could apply its integrated response against COVID-19.

In Cebu City, Cimatu noted a decrease in the number of infections from 30 percent last June to 11 percent in July after the city was placed under enhanced community quarantine on June 16.

He observed that Cebuanos have become more compliant in doing health protocols such as wearing masks, observing physical distancing, and staying indoors to contain the spread of the virus.

Retired Maj. Gen. Melquiades Feliciano, deputy chief implementor of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Cebu, said PBB could be a step to sustain the gains in the fight against COVID-19.

“There is no question that PBB is a good process and will work for all business establishments. The business sector has mentioned going through the process of having this plan being cascaded and disseminated to all the business establishments,” he said.

LZB