Interministerial Ordinance MTP/MS n.17, of March 22, 2022 – Published on 04/01/1022 – Amends Annex I of Ordinance 20, which deals with measures to prevent, control and mitigate the risks of transmission of Covid-19 in the work environment
In brief
On 01.04.2022, the Interministerial Ordinance MTP/MS n.17 was published, changing the measures to prevent, control and mitigate the risks of transmission of Covid-19, in the work environment, provided for in Annex I, of the Ordinance of June 20, 2020.
In summary, the new Ordinance updates the previously provided measures and guidelines regarding the use of masks, procedures for the prevention, identification and removal of employees, as well as the reporting of suspected or confirmed cases.
More details
Taking into account the various decrees issued by federative entities releasing the use of masks in closed places, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and Health, revisited the guidelines previously imposed in Joint Ordinance 20/20, updating the procedures provided therein.
Among the new guidelines, the ones that draw the most attention concern the new measures for the prevention, control and mitigation of the transmission of Covid-19, especially in common areas, such as cafeterias, bathrooms, changing rooms, rest and transport areas, if provided by the company. According to the new Ordinance, companies must also adopt actions for the early identification and removal of employees with signs and symptoms of Covid-19, as well as instructions on hand hygiene and respiratory labels.
In addition to release the use of protective masks in work environments when the company is located in a place where, by order of the federative entity, the use of masks in closed environments is no longer mandatory, it brought new guidelines regarding the period of absence of employees considered confirmed cases or contacts of confirmed cases (10 days), period that can be reduced to 7 days, if the worker has been tested by molecular or antigen method, from the 5th day after contact, provided that the result is negative.
In suspected cases, the worker must be away for 10 days, a period that can also be reduced to 7 days, if they have had no fever for more than 24 hours and have not used antipyretic medication, with remission of signs and symptoms. The Ordinance also exempts employees considered to be close contacts of confirmed cases from removal, provided they are fully vaccinated. Considering the new protocols established, our labor team is available to assist with specific doubts on the subject.
