Colombian Government Announces Strict Health Protocols For Construction & Manufacturing Sectors

Yesterday, in his daily address held since the national curfew imposed in Colombia to fight the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic, President Iván Duque explained the new protocols that must be followed by manufacturing and construction companies that wish to take advantage of the limited exceptions to the curfew that come into effect on April 27. According to the president, these sectors, along with agriculture, represent about 7.4 million jobs in the country of 47 million people.

The blanket national curfew remains in effect at least until May 11, and restrictions remain on entertainment and travel.

Key points of the protocol for manufacturing sector:

1. Employers must take their employees’ temperature before entering the facilities.

2. Additional sinks must be installed for the operators.

3. Workers should receive face masks and antibacterial gel.

4. The distance between the operators must be greater than 2 meters.

5. Companies must adapt protocols for handling raw materials.

6. Operators must wear face masks not only at work but also in public transport. Once home, workers are to immediately change out of work clothes.

7. Shifts should be adopted to avoid crowds.

8. Internal communication and prevention strategies are to be developed for the workplace.

Regarding the protocol for the construction sector:

1. For every 100 collaborators, there should be a health and safety supervisor, who will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the protocol.

2. Workers in the sector must receive face masks and antibacterial gel.

3. Flexible hours and lunch shifts are to be implemented to avoid crowds.

4. Work clothes must remain on-site and provided by the employer. Employees are to change in and out of street clothes at the beginning and end of their shift.

Image by whirligigtop from Pixabay