Question & AnswerQ&A (POEA ADVISORY NO. 05)
The primary purpose is to advise Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East, including newly-hired and returning workers, on preventive measures against the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) for their safety and protection.
Licensed recruitment agencies are advised to conduct special briefings on precautionary measures against MERS-CoV for their recruited workers.
Recruitment agencies are enjoined to report to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) any MERS-CoV case affecting their deployed workers.
Specific personal hygiene practices include washing hands with soap or using alcohol-based hand rubs before and after eating, handling food, after coughing or sneezing, using the toilet, and before and after touching animals.
Health workers should strictly follow infection control protocols at their workplace to prevent the spread of MERS-CoV.
They should immediately visit a doctor, hospital, or health facility, cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and call designated health emergency contact numbers provided in the advisory.
They should comply with local health regulations and postpone any trip abroad until after test results are confirmed negative.
They are advised to monitor their health for at least 14 days and report symptoms promptly, using appropriate respiratory protection and notifying authorities if symptoms develop.
Because misinformation can cause unnecessary panic; it is important to rely on accurate information from relevant government authorities to ensure proper public health response.
They are advised to contact the Bureau of Quarantine, the Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS), and the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) of the DOH using the provided telephone numbers.