Resolution No. DM-198-2020 of July 10, 2020

Which makes the agreements of the Tripartite Dialogue Table for the Economy and Labor Development on the subject of gradual return to health and work a mandatory rule, and dictates other provisions.

1. Establishment of the Special Committee on Health and Hygiene for the Prevention and Care of COVID-19

Establish the Special Health and Hygiene Committee for the Prevention and Care of COVID-19, no later than one week after the reopening of companies. Companies will have an additional week to complete the registrations on the Panama Digital platform of the protocols and other required documents.

2. Composition of the Committee

At least one representative from each of the unions existing in the company will participate in the Special Health and Hygiene Committee for the Prevention and Care of COVID-19. In cases where the number of unions existing in the company exceeds the number of positions representing workers on the Committee, the number of positions on the Committee will be increased.

3. Constitution of the Committee in Companies that never closed

In companies that have not stopped their activities because they have been considered an essential sector, the existence of the Committee or its registration must be established immediately, with the respective complete biosafety protocol.

4. Gender Equity in the Special Committee on Health and Hygiene for the Prevention and Care of COVID-19

The Special Committee on Health and Hygiene for the Prevention and Care of COVID-19 must preserve the participation of women in said committee, in the representation of workers and the employer.

5. Conflict Resolution in the Health Committee

The methods for handling and resolving conflicts and compliance with agreements must be defined by the Committee itself, taking into account the nature of each company.

6. Training for the use of Personal Protective Equipment

Companies are responsible for training workers on the use of personal protective equipment. If necessary, the company may contact government entities to conduct such training.

7. Handwashing

The Committee will be responsible for instilling in workers frequent handwashing as a daily practice, as many times as necessary.

8. Disinfection in Non-Frequent Use Areas

The Committee will periodically assess and determine which areas of the company are not frequently used and will establish the number of cleaning and disinfection occasions necessary, as required.

9. Physical Distancing

Special schedules and restrictions on the number of people in each company must be established, in such a way that physical distancing of at least two meters is maintained. When, exceptionally, physical distancing of two meters cannot be guaranteed, other controls must be applied, through a process analysis and risk analysis, adjusting to the hierarchy of controls, reinforcing the use of personal protective equipment, training and surveillance, verified by the Committee and based on the protocols approved by the Ministry of Health.

10. Use of Masks

Masks must be used for the duration of the work shift and must be provided by the employer. If it is a disposable mask, at least one must be provided per shift to each worker and another must be available in case it becomes damaged. For washable cloth masks, at least two must be provided to workers. The employer is responsible for training in the proper use and disposal of masks.

11. Temperature taking and symptom monitoring

Body temperature measurements should be carried out in different areas, not in fixed locations, in each company. Likewise, the symptoms of workers, clients, and suppliers should be monitored in order to apply the corresponding protocols if necessary.

12. Cleaning and disinfection equipment

The Committee must ensure the creation of cleaning teams or people within the company to disinfect the areas most exposed to COVID-19. These teams may be made up of company personnel or contracted, specialized and duly registered companies. The workers who make up the cleaning teams must be properly trained by the company.

13. Term for carrying out inspections in companies

The minimum time for the authorities of the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development, the Ministry of Health or the Social Security Fund to carry out the inspection to verify the existence of health committees, protocols and guides in companies is set at two months.

For assistance with the process of reopening your business, please contact us at igranet@stagingcd.com.

See the complete list of COVID-19 Regulations established by the Government of Panama at the following link: COVID-19 Regulations.