Businesses, government officials must abide by virus control measures

Enterprises operating​ during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as government officials must strictly implement precautionary measures to prevent a further outbreak of the virus, authorities have announced.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has outlined the measures to be followed by businesses such as tourist attractions, accommodation houses, restaurants, cafes, spas, cinemas, barbershops and beauty salons with the ruling effective from June 2-30.
The ministry’s notice follows on from an announcement by the Prime Minister’s Office on May 29, which called for the continuation of measures to prevent and control COVID-19 from June 2-30.
Although authorities have approved the resumption of services by some businesses, they are required to close by 10pm at the latest.
Businesses that are operational during the COVID-19 outbreak must strictly implement measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including checking the temperature of employees before they begin work. If any worker’s temperature exceeds 37.5C, the employer should call the hotline numbers 165 or 166 for instructions, according to the ministry.
In addition, each business must record the name, address and phone number of every customer, advise them to wash their hands, be on the lookout for symptoms of the virus, and require employees to wear face masks.
They must also provide basins for handwashing or provide sanitising gel containing at least 70 percent alcohol for use by customers and employees.
Any equipment used must be cleaned with alcohol-based sanitiser before and after use. Furthermore, customers must have their temperature checked and wash their hands with soap or alcohol gel before entering and upon leaving the premises.
In the meantime, internet cafe, entertainment venues and casinos will remain closed and traditional events are not permitted, which cannot offer seating that is at least one metre apart. Weddings can hold just a baci ceremony, and guests attending must follow the one-metre social distancing rules.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has also announced personnel employed at state enterprises and institutions may return to work but must strictly follow the precautionary measures laid down by the national taskforce committee to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Any work that can be carried out online can continue in this manner.
The ministry has allowed final year fine arts institute students to resume their classes on June 6 with other years to reopen on June 15. Handwashing facilities or alcohol-based gel must be provided and face masks worn by all staff and students.
Seminars and meetings may take place, but handwashing facilities or alcohol-based gel must be provided, and participants are required to sit at least one metre apart and wear face masks. Tourist sites and accommodation providers are allowed to reopen but must implement the measures to prevent and control the virus. Local media outlets are advised to continue publicising the impacts of COVID-19 as well as ways to thwart the spread of the virus in the community. 

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update June 2, 2020)