As a complement to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection guide for the reduction of the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the Energy and mining industry, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (“MME”) together with the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection issued Joint Memorandum 01 of 2020 (the “Memorandum”). This memorandum includes safety and health measures required for companies in the mining-energy industry in order to carry out their activities.The following are some of the safety and health measures included in the Memorandum:

1. Have an operation protocol which includes the measures to be adopted in order to deal with the COVID -19 pandemic situation (the “Protocol”).
   
   
2. Submit the Protocol to the MME through this email
   
   
3. Publish the Protocol on the company's website, as well as in the communications means that the company deems appropriate.
   
   
4. Submit the Protocol before the respective territorial authorities.
   
   
5. Define and promote a hand washing routine.
   
   
6. Develop and implement a respiratory protocol.
   
   
7. Procure the supply of antibacterial gel and disinfection products in all areas where there is personnel.
   
   
8. Perform and increase the frequency of a full cleaning and disinfection process of work tools and places normally used. Likewise, the company must establish a protocol for the correct daily cleaning and disinfection of work tools and personal protection items, as well as provide the necessary products for the cleaning processes. Perform a vulnerability analysis of the company against the identified threats, considering the existing prevention and control measures as well as the emergency equipment and medicine cabinets of items such as face masks, latex gloves and other items to be supplied to workers according to the appropriate work.
   
   
9. Take the necessary measures to guarantee air circulation in closed spaces.
   
   
10. Adopt operating schemes that reduce the risk of infection, such as flexible hours, shift schedules, and remote working when it is possible. However, it must be ensured that administrative or non-essential personnel work from their homes.
    
    
11. Define staggered work schedules in order to avoid the accumulation of personnel.
    
    
12. Seek to maintain a distance of at least two meters between people. When the work to be performed requires a shorter distance, it is recommended that all the personnel permanently uses mouth covers. nevertheless, the company must guarantee a daily supply of mouth cover and train the personnel in their use.
    
    
13. Implement routine temperature takings at the entrance and exit of each shift of employees, as well as the performance of random temperature measurements.
    
    
14. During the journey to work areas, the personnel should avoid contact or closeness with other people, seeking to maintain a minimum distance of two meters.
    
    
15. Notify the surrounding populations at least 48 hours in advance in respect to the development of scheduled works, in order to avoid exposure or direct contact between the population and the personnel.
    
    
16. Deny access to dining areas to personnel who have flu or cough symptoms.
    
    
17. Adapt the reception facilities by isolating the employee in charge of attention to staff.
    
    
18. Do not request sick leave to employees with respiratory diseases.
    
    
19. Allow employees to stay home if they must take care of a sick family member.
    
    
20. Establish efficient communication channels for the notification of suspicious cases.
    
    

The Memorandum is available by clicking here