Four-day workweek 'an option' amid COVID-19 threat —Nograles

The government task force in charge of overlooking efforts regarding the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country is considering a four-day workweek in certain government offices as a precautionary measure.

"Isa ito sa mga options na maaring gamitin lalo na sa government offices na medyo exposed sa COVID-19," said Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease, in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Wednesday.

He added they have yet to arrive at a final decision. "Right now, nasa punto pa lang na pinag-aaralan itong option na ito."

Nograles said the task force is discussing the setup "in small groups" with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and that it was not tackled during the recent meeting of the task force presided by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Dun sa task force meeting with President Duterte presiding, hindi pa namin na-bring up ito sa kanya pero ito ay napag-usapan na in small groups ng task force in coordination with the Civil Service [Commission]," he said.

Nograles pointed out the a four-day workweek may be implemented once there is "clustering" of COVID-19 cases. "Ngayon kasi sporadic pa," he said.

If ever the four-day workweek is implemented, it will not be nationwide but only in areas with high concentration of COVID-19 cases, Nograles also said.

As of Tuesday, the government has recorded 33 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Duterte has already placed the country under state of public health emergency. —KBK, GMA News