As lockdown restrictions began easing, operations would not return to previous conditions. Businesses resuming activities needed to establish and enforce safety protocols to prevent additional pandemic waves.
Health & Safety is #1
The DTI and DOLE issued advisories requiring minimum health protocols:
- Hygiene Measures: Regular handwashing and sanitization of frequently-touched surfaces
- Physical Distancing: Maintaining minimum 1-meter distance or limiting occupancy
- Temperature Screening: Checking employee and visitor temperatures
- Health Declarations: Completing health checklist forms
- Remote Work: Encouraging work-from-home arrangements where possible
Employers were mandated to provide free medicines, adequate protective equipment, designated safety officers, and transportation solutions.
Check Your Resources
Before resuming, audit your financial and operational capacity:
- Cash Reserves: Ensure sufficient funds for initial operational weeks
- Inventory: Assess stock levels; contact clients about backlog status
- Receivables: Contact debtors; offer flexible payment plans when necessary
- Employee Status: Communicate return-to-work expectations
- Payables: Prioritize tax obligations among payments due
Expect Minimum Capacity Operations
Full normalcy was unlikely. Expected disruptions included employee transportation difficulties, delivery delays, and reduced in-office productivity.
Put It in Writing
Document all new policies and communicate them clearly to affected personnel. Patience and compliance were essential as recovery efforts continued.