This new directive was issued because the country has been going through an endemic phase of COVID-19, with a slight increase in cases related to new variants.
The main provisions are highlighted below.
1. Isolation: For confirmed, suspected or probable cases, home isolation is ordered, after medical evaluation and at the discretion of the treating physician. There is no minimum number of days of isolation as established in the previous directive.
2. Medical rest: Medical rest may be granted by the treating physician, confirmatory laboratory tests are not required. Medical rest, as well as health monitoring, must be registered in SISCOVID. The medical service must request access to SISCOVID to the General Office of Information Technology of the Ministry of Health (MINSA).
3. Occupational health and safety service: Companies that have not implemented a health and safety service must comply with Annex 1 (health professionals by size of work center). According to this annex, every company with more than five workers must have a professional with the minimum health and safety training. Companies with more than 50 workers are required to have professionals such as occupational physicians or nursing graduates.
4. Vaccination: Vaccination is not mandatory, but employers have a duty to promote and facilitate vaccination.
5. Ventilation: Companies must have adequately ventilated environments, either naturally or mechanically. Measuring CO2 is not mandatory, but it is recommended.
6. Return to work: Workers who are on medical leave are obliged to complete the Symptomatology Form after returning to the workplace.
7. Collective safety measures: The employer must train workers in COVID-19 prevention, as well as have sufficient supplies for hand washing.
8. Personal protective equipment: The occupational physician is the one who determines the measures regarding the use of masks. Their use is recommended for high-risk workers.
9. Plan for surveilling, preventing and controlling COVID-19: The implementation and full validity of the plan, which must be approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Committee or Supervisor, has been reiterated.
10. High-risk personnel: Except for the recommended use of masks, no additional prevention measures are required for workers at risk.
Recommendations
- Update the company's plan for surveilling, preventing and controlling COVID-19 in accordance with the new provisions and with the specific conditions of the work center. The updated plan should be approved by the Occupational Health and Safety Committee or Supervisor.
- Resume COVID-19 awareness and prevention campaigns (infographics, emails, training, etc.).
- Review the obligations of the occupational health and safety service, and instruct them on the new rules that will apply to COVID-19 prevention in the workplaces of each organization.
- Ensure that the occupational physician has the corresponding computer accesses to register confirmed cases or medical follow-ups into the SISCOVID.
We hope this information will be of interest to you and your company. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
Click here to read the Spanish version.
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