National And Local Governments Publish New Standards On Biosecurity

• Published date: 23 June 2020
• Subject Matter: Employment and HR, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Health & Safety, Government Measures, Employment and Workforce Wellbeing
• Law Firm: Littler Mendelson
• Author: Mr Daniel Jaime

The Venezuelan government has extended to July 11, 2020 its State of Alert declared on March 13, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this State of Alert, employment operations are suspended except for companies that render essential services, those that are able to render services remotely, or those that were allowed to gradually reopen under the flexibility plan the government implemented.¹

Per the Venezuelan government, all companies must strictly comply with biosecurity recommendations to remain open and provide services. However, these recommendations are set forth in very few published standards and without guidelines about how to implement them. It is therefore uncertain whether officials checking on employers' compliance with these recommendations will do so in a uniform and predictable manner.

These are the biosecurity standards published by the national government or local government bodies:

1. On June 1, 2020, the Ministry of Health published a Resolution with the following general and special safety and health standards for companies:

MATTER	STANDARDS	RECOMMENDATIONS
Use of Mask	It is mandatory, but it can be fabric and reusable. The reusable masks must be washed and ironed daily. Health employees must use a disposable mask.	It is advisable to provide two or more reusable masks per employee.
Social Distancing	At least 1.5 meters. Avoid meetings, visits, and travel, and implement video conferencing. In-person meetings at the workplace must not exceed 10 people. Elevators must indicate the number of people allowed. Avoid sharing tools for personal use.	These standards must be put in writing in a protocol as part of a health and safety program developed by the Health and Safety Service, and with the Health and Safety Committee's approval. Employees must be notified in writing of any risk of contagion at the workplace, as well as the prevention measures.
Handwashing / Respiratory hygiene	Frequent hand washing. Use soap and water, or hand sanitizer. Use disposable tissues for coughing or sneezing or the inside of the elbow.	The frequency recommended for hand washing is before leaving and arriving home, arriving and leaving work, before and after eating and using the toilet, as well as after coughing, sneezing, and touching potentially contaminated surfaces.
Disinfecting	Disinfect - twice a day - the workstations and work tools. Use soap and water, 0.1% hypochlorite or 70% alcohol solution. Avoid mixing...