Workplaces And Other Establishments To Strictly Implement The City’s Minimum Public Health Standards

As the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases lifted some of its restrictions in workplaces, food and other service establishments in low risk areas, City Mayor Juan Carlo Medina approved the City Ordinance No. 39 series of 2020 prepared by the Seventh City Council entitled “An Ordinance Establishing The Minimum Public Health Standards For Offices/ Workplaces, Food And Other Service Establishments In The City Of Vigan on August 10, 2020.

                Under the said ordinance, workplaces or office, food and other service establishments should strictly implement the proper wearing of facemask that covers the nose and mouth at all times and  are only allowed to be removed when eating and drinking; every person should practice respiratory etiquette at all times; regular hand washing with soap and water; placement of sanitizing dispensers with an alcohol-based solution in every entrance and exit points with foot traffic and facilities; employers are also required to monitor daily the availability of hand soaps, sanitizers, and other disinfectants; Disinfection of frequently touched surfaces; placement of footbaths in all entrances; temporary barriers between cubicles; limitation of face to face meetings and adopt Work From Home (WFH) arrangement; allowing flexible dining policy in work space; physical distancing in workplace if WFH is not possible; temperature checks to all employees prior to enter the building or office; and elderly individuals with underlying conditions and pregnant women may be asked not to physically report to work or providing special lanes for them in acquiring basic services.

                Any establishment violating the other mandatory provisions of the said ordinance shall be penalized. For First Offense: One Thousand Pesos; Second Offense: Two Thousand Pesos; Third Offense: Five Thousand Pesos.

                Committee on Health Chairperson Kristen Benedict Figuerres said that this ordinance required the “No ID, No Entry” Policy in all establishments within the city wherein costumers or visitors should present their valid ID and provide the necessary information asked in the establishment’s logbook.

                He also added that by giving the correct information particularly the Name, Age, Complete Address and Contact Number will help the City’s Contact Tracing Team when the need for these information arises.