Following published lists of mandatory employee testing – business issues: SAM clarifies procedures

As the government discusses waivers to open supermarkets on Wednesday, companies also fear that a positive decision will simply prevent everyone from opening required COVID-19 tests and those at checkpoints for overcapacity.

There was no clear information

The CEO of LVL, Eglė Radišauskienė, assured that the main problem was that after the introduction of the new resolutions, there was no clear presentation of information and fluid communication, which caused a lot of anxiety in the company.

“The decision was made quickly, without discussing anything, without saying anything to anyone, it made the whole business worry because they didn’t understand.

There is no normal communication. Then there would be no need to respond to the 120 calls LVK received on Friday because companies were alarmed.

The companies called us and asked us because the mechanism itself was not clear. It was later explained that the tests would be more mandatory for new entrants, that everything would be carried out through mobile points, and questions also arose about financing, how it would go.

Actually, a lot of information is clearly tacit and is necessary both for the company and for the person himself, because we see the reactions of the people. After all, when an employee comes to the employer, they must explain why that person should be tested, ”said E. Radišauskienė.

LVK said it had contacted the Health Ministry on Friday and received the requested explanations, but explained that it should have done so on its own initiative.

Representatives from a large retailer also reached out to Delfi, who said they also faced a lack of information related to mandatory employee testing.

According to them, the new procedure is not clear and they gave their considerations as an example.

As assured, it is not clear whether, if a retail store with a separate entrance from the field were to open in Vilnius, whose activities are not restricted today, its employees should be evaluated.

According to the description, it is necessary to carry out tests for employees once before starting the activity, but the note also indicates that it is necessary to start work after the lifting of prohibitions or restrictions.

“What if, in this case, there was no prohibition to operate with separate entry from the outside?” Asked the company representatives.

Explained the procedure

As has been written before, the most important thing to know is that the government has made two lists.

The first refers to those employees who must undergo periodic tests to be able to work. These are people who are involved in other people’s health care services, educational and social services, and pharmacy employees. The full list can be found here. According to SAM representatives, these people will need to perform tests every 7 to 10 days.

The second list includes representatives of certain works and activities that are prohibited, restricted during quarantine according to the Government Resolution and have constant direct contact with other people. These individuals will need to conduct an investigation once before returning to work or starting their activities after lifting bans or restrictions.

This obligation applies to employees working in the fields of culture and the arts, physical activity and high excellence in sports, restaurants, retail, leisure and / or entertainment services, beauty services and accommodation.

SAM assured that the mandatory surveys will be carried out with public funds, so it will have no cost for employees or employers and will be carried out at mobile points.

The employee will need to register for the test, which can be done by calling the coronavirus hotline at 1808 or by electronic registration at www.1808.lt.

It is true that employers, as they have said, will be obliged to draw up lists of workers to be examined and to inform their own workers of this obligation.

“These lists do not need to be provided elsewhere,” SAM said.

An employee who is required to undergo an investigation must provide proof of this to his employer. It will not be necessary to monitor those workers who have already had a contagious disease or have been vaccinated.

“By logging into your www.esveikata.lt account, everyone will be able to view, download and, if necessary, print the response to the COVID-19 survey.

For those who cannot connect to the portal – who do not have an electronic signature or means of authentication through the banking system – it is recommended to request the issuance of said certificate to medical institutions ”, SAM assured.

Since employers are responsible for ensuring that employees are tested, they will also be checked for compliance with the new provisions.

“The National Center for Public Health and other control authorities will exercise control over employers to ensure that all employees have passed the test,” said the responses to SAM. As far as Delfi knows, changes to the legislation are being prepared with regard to specific regulatory authorities.

It should also be noted, according to them, that service providers that are up-to-date and up-to-date are not required to be tested for COVID-19. Additionally, COVID-19 testing is not required for workers whose activities are suspended or unable to work by contact due to quarantine.

When specifically asked what would happen if a new retail store opens with an entrance from the outside in the city, it was explained that all employees should be screened.

“In this case, the tests are mandatory, regardless, even if the employees have moved from another store. This is the beginning of a new activity ”, said the representatives of the ministry.

You agree to the order, but you don’t know how to secure it.

In general, according to the general director of LVK, E. Radišauskienė, the confederation supports the mandatory test procedure.

“We support all measures that would allow companies to work more freely and employees to earn and breathe more freely.

We believe that perhaps the binding nature of such measures scares everyone, but in reality we are not lagging behind the world, and elsewhere we believe that companies should be able to breathe and help achieve better results by all possible means, including obligatory. . It’s better to try and work, “he said, but added that it would not be clear how the employer would manage to control the tests.

“I cannot predict how it will be, it is very complicated and more than once employers have said that there are nuances in data protection, in other things. The employee himself, if he wants to work, must understand that he will have to undergo a test.

I think disputes may arise, but hopefully our people understand the seriousness of the situation and no one wants to get sick.

Employers try to respond to the requirements, explain to employees why they should be tested and pursue a common goal, better public health, ”said E. Radišauskienė.