Clean and disinfected surroundings: a first defense against the new coronavirus

As news reports as of late all point to increasing cases globally of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), so has seemingly varying opinions over how to protect yourself from contracting the dreaded virus. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) strongly recommends frequent cleaning of hands with alcohol or proper washing of hands with soap and water. Additionally, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) as well as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) both recommend environmental cleaning and the cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched objects and surfaces, utilizing both a regular household cleaning spray and a disinfectant. For the latter, one that contains Ethanol as the main antimicrobial agent.

Among other measures, one of the easiest and most accessible ways to prevent the contracting of COVID-19 is by keeping your home and office environment clean and disinfected. Specifically, the CDC emphasizes the routine cleaning and subsequent disinfection among household and community members of surfaces such as tables, desks, doorknobs, light switches, toilets, faucets and sinks. 

And during the cleaning process, the CDC also recommends that dirty surfaces should first be cleaned using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. The use of disposable gloves is also recommended while cleaning and disinfecting. Or, have dedicated gloves for this purpose if using reusables.

Not to be missed out as well are surfaces such as carpets, rugs, and drapes, where appropriate cleaners for each should be used prior to disinfection. 

So, keep note: always ensure that frequently touched surfaces are constantly kept clean and disinfected. And the next time you head to the supermarket, don’t forget to buy the right cleaning agents such as disinfectant sprays and multi-purpose cleaners and always check the label if appropriate for use.

During these challenging times, access to accurate information is key. Watch this video to stay informed: https://www.facebook.com/LysolPH/videos/2506003989663128/

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM UNIVERSAL RECORDS PH

Universal Records Philippines is temporarily postponing all upcoming on-ground activities (album launches, artist guestings, and gigs) in compliance with the government’s declaration of a community quarantine and ban on mass gatherings to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The company is taking this initiative for the safety and health of our artists, staff, their families, and the general public. 

While this measure is in place, upcoming digital audio and video releases, including the highly-anticipated debut single "Parang Kailan Lang" by Maine Mendoza, will still be published as previously scheduled.

In one way or another, the show must go on. Universal Records will continue to serve our audiences, albeit digitally, with brand new music and videos, alongside beloved classic releases that will help in bringing hope, inspiration, and healing as we all move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic.

We thank the public for their understanding and continued support, and we wish you safety and good health in this time of crisis.

SM assures employee compensation, gives financial assistance for guards and janitors

With the unprecedented global health crisis, companies under SM stand in solidarity with the nation and the citizenry in the battle against COVID-19. SM assured all of its employees their regular compensation as well as the extension of an Emergency Financial Assistance to its front liners, security guards and janitorial staff during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period from March 16 to April 14, 2020. The extent of this assistance includes the following: ·      All employees will receive their regularly scheduled salaries during the ECQ period without deductions made against their Vacation and Sick Leaves; ·      The company’s front liners, who comprise the skeleton workforce, will, in addition, be provided with premium pay; ·      All Security Guards and Janitorial staff will receive financial assistance of PHP5,000 for the period. It is focused on helping these key resources so that they in turn can be of service to others.  On a daily basis since the ECQ, SM has also been undertaking measures to protect the safety and welfare of its front line personnel with protective gear, meals, and transportation whenever possible. “In these trying times, we are in unchartered territories. Let’s be one with each other, united in the spirit of service. Let’s be mindful of our front liners and help with their need to be alert so they can continue to do their best in working for the safety and health of our communities,” said Hans T. Sy on behalf of the Sy family.  SM continues to assess the health crisis with vigilance; enjoining its employees and the public to follow guidelines and precautions to help combat the virus.  This financial assistance is another commitment to fighting the negative effects of COVID-19. Earlier, SM made separate announcements to waive tenant rentals nationwide as well as to support health workers as they actively fight the spread of COVID-19 with PHP100 million worth of protective equipment, testing kits and supplies.

Tips in making the switch from office to home office

More and more companies are implementing a work-from-home scheme to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. For many employees, this sounds like a dream (No traffic! No need to leave the house!) but there are preparations to be made to ensure productivity. Working from home is also a good chance to strengthen your values—both your own and your family’s. 

Here are seven essential tips in making the switch from office to home office: 

Begin with a grateful heart. In these trying times, the ability to work from home is something to be thankful for. You’re assured of a steady income and you get to stay safe and healthy and protect your family from getting sick as well. 

Prepare a schedule and stick to it. Your home is rife with distractions—your big TV, that inviting bed, your spouse, your kids—so it’s important to make sure your day is structured like it would be in an office. Your discipline is a crucial tool you’ll be using as you work from home. Create a schedule that highlights your core hours and utilize your DND settings to make sure you can focus on your deliverables. List everything you need to do, include breaks, and if you manage your time well, you might even be able to squeeze a nap in. 

Get out of your pajamas. We get it, they’re comfy, but you need to start your day like you are actually going to the office to put yourself in that working mindset. Think of these as steps that show your commitment to your work. Set your alarm, get out of bed, have breakfast, drink your coffee, take a shower, wear something other than pajamas and flex those working muscles. 

Choose your work area. And no, it can’t be your bed. Your work area must be conducive to productivity and help you be as hardworking as ever.  If you don’t have a proper desk, maybe use your dining table. Get creative. A good chair is crucial too to make sure you stay comfortable while you slay those deadlines. Avoid back strain by getting up and stretching from time to time just like what you do when in your office. 

Make sure you have a strong internet connection. Connectivity is crucial if you want to work at home successfully. You will need to be as dependable as ever, with the ability to perform the tasks that you do in the office and communicate with your coworkers with ease. A slow connection is a productivity killer. 

And because PLDT Home knows that many of its subscribers are going to stay at home in the next month, it’s rolling out another round of free speedboost for PLDT Home Fibr Plan subscribers 1299 and 1699 in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna, and Cavite. From their usual 10mbps and 20mbps, they get to enjoy up to 25mbps of internet speed from March 15 to April 30. 

While PLDT Home WiFi Prepaid users will continue to enjoy their favorite P199 prepaid pack double the data promo (from 12GB to 24GB) until April 30. If you don’t have a PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi yet, you can get a brand new one for only P995.

PLDT is your partner in maintaining your dependability. When your internet connection is strong, your coworkers will be able to count on you.

Get your household onboard.  If you live with your family, explain to them that you are home to work and that they can help you stick to your schedule by avoiding any interruptions unless absolutely necessary. This is a good chance to teach your children respect. “Mommy is working for the next few hours,” you can say. “But at lunch break, we’ll eat together and have fun.” It’s a good time for you to practice patience too because interruptions will inevitably come. You just need to be ready to deal with them with a cool head.

Enjoy your breaks. Good breaks help you do better work. Balance is key. Enjoy your lunch, have a nice conversation, play with your kids, devote time to your family and then get back to work. 

Keep your spirits up! Now is the perfect time to enjoy working at home with your loved ones. #StayHome to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep your family connected and productive.

SM Supermalls to waive tenant rentals nationwide

The SM Supermalls announced it will waive rentals to all tenants nationwide from March 16 to April 14, 2020. This is to offer tenants some relief during this trying time, so that they can in turn lend more assistance to their employees during the period of Community Quarantine.

“We share our tenants partners’ concerns at the unfortunate situation and will waive rental charges for those affected and unable to operate during this period,” said SM Supermalls president Steven T. Tan.

This support forms part of SM’s commitment to fight the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, in addition to its recent announcement that it has allocated PhP100M to provide protective equipment and supplies towards hospitals for the safety of medical front liners, as they actively fight the spread of COVID-19.

For more information about SM, visit www.smsupermalls.com.

Donate to the PH RedCross simply by scanning this PayMaya QR!

As the entire country copes from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Filipinos--particularly those in the marginalized sectors and communities--are left with little to no access to basic necessities and livelihood. The next few weeks will be tough for all of them.

Because of this, PayMaya has partnered with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to allow direct donations from any PayMaya Account via QR to PRC so they can provide critical humanitarian services such as medical assistance and relief operations in this time of need. Users only need to scan the QR code below using their PayMaya app to be able to make a quick and instant donation to the Philippine Red Cross:

PayMaya has also equipped the PRC with PayMaya One devices so they may be able to accept card and QR donations whenever they are in the field.

In these trying times, every contribution counts in making sure that no one is left behind. Together, we can rise through this crisis better and stronger than ever.

 "Make sure that when you scan this QR code, the merchant name appears in the PayMaya app as PHILIPPINE RED CROSS." 

Stay at Home Safety Tips for your family

Safety starts at home. Maintaining a clean and healthy environment at home is important to safeguard yourself and your family from any illnesses. 

Here are seven tips to keep your family safe at home:

1.     Wash your hands often

Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Soap helps kill germs and viruses that are invisible to the eye, which simply washing with water can’t do. Always use hand sanitizer with 70% alcohol.

2.     Wear a mask, and don’t touch your face

If you are sick, whether it’s with COVID-19 or any other illness, wear a face mask wherever you go to stop the spread of your illness. You should also avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose, as it’s through those body parts that germs and viruses enter the body.

3.     Sanitize your devices

As you wash and clean your hands, you should also clean your devices, especially your mobile phone. These electronics could easily accumulate germs and viruses, as we constantly touch them throughout the day. Lightly apply some antimicrobial spray or alcohol on a microfiber cloth and wipe down your screens. If your devices have covers, don’t forget to wash these covers too.

4.     Work from home

If your work, school, or daily commute is near a critical area, then it’s best to stay at home even if you’re not sick. The internet now makes it easier than ever to do work remotely and reduce the chances of contracting the virus and spreading it further. You can set up virtual meetings, transfer work files online, save your important documents through cloud storage for easy access and communication with your colleagues—and you can do it reliably with your PLDT Home Fibr. 

Understanding the need for a strong and reliable internet connection now more than ever, PLDT Home has rolled out FREE speedboost for all Fibr subscribers in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna, and Cavite so that the minimum speeds will be 25 Mbps until April 30. This will help a lot of families working and studying at home to keep up with their daily tasks online.

5.     Keep family members updated of your status

The good thing about the internet is that with it, we can remain safe and constantly connected. In delicate times like these, it’s best to always update your family members of your status and location, as they may be able to tell you which places to avoid or anything they know, or you can share your own knowledge of the current situation. Even the simple news of telling everyone you’re fine can be very reassuring.

6.     Read up and share verified information on COVID-19

The best way to keep yourself and your family protected is if you also stay up-to-date on the right information about COVID-19 via official sources online. More developments unfold by the day, with new knowledge about the virus being discovered—you can learn about them right away online from trusted official sources and share them with your loved ones and friends, so they can protect themselves too.

PLDT Home Wifi and PLDT Home Volume-based plan subscribers now have FREE access to verified government and news websites such as the Department of Health (DOH), National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), News 5, Philippine Star Global, Business World, CNN Philippines, ABS-CBN News, and GMA News Online.

7.     Always stay connected and set up personal notifications

Stay tuned to official channels of information. You can follow along on TV or radio and can easily set up notifications for important social media accounts such as the Department of Health (@DOHgovph on Twitter) or news sites. You can even set up Google Alerts to monitor for updates about COVID-19 around the internet.

Keep COVID-19 Hotlines and designated emergency hotlines of your area on your phone and send to your family members:

#StayHome to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep your family safe and connected. With PLDT Home, you can do so much such as reliably work from home and keep your family up-to-date to the latest news with your unlimited access to the Internet. Visit www.pldthome.com for more details. 

Globe Public Advisory as of March 18, 2020

Please be careful of a circulating post on Facebook and Twitter about how to get FREE EASYSURF299 from Globe. It asks you to privately message the poster or click on a link. This is a prank. Please do not message the poster, share the post, or click on the link. Only believe posts coming from Globe official social media accounts listed here: https://www.globe.com.ph/help/official-accounts.html

Jollibee Advisory as of March 18, 2020

SM Group allocates Php100M towards COVID-19 outbreak support to PGH, RITM, and other government hospitals

SM is bringing in personal protective equipment (PPE) – face masks, gowns, visors, hoods, gloves and shoe covers as well as urgent medical supplies to help government hospitals. Assistance has also been extended to Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and Research Institute for Tropical Management (RITM) for their urgent needs and for improving their laboratory testing capacity.

“To ensure the safety of medical frontliners, SM is bringing in personal protective equipment (PPE) - face masks, gowns, visors, hoods, gloves, and shoe covers, as well as urgent medical supplies to help government hospitals who badly need them,” said SM Prime’s Hans Sy. Assistance has also been extended to Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and Research Institute for Tropical Management (RITM) for their urgent needs and for improving their laboratory testing capacity. SM has also allocated PPEs and medical supplies to the UP Medical Foundation Inc. to reach a wider network of hospitals.

To improve availability of tests, SM has reached out to Manila Healthtek Inc. to distribute 20,000 tests for free to government hospitals, once approved for use.

Cebu Pacific Advisory:Suspension of all Flight Operations due to COVID-19

ALL CEBU PACIFIC AND CEBGO FLIGHTS WILL BE CANCELLED from March 19 until April 14, 2020, in support of government regulations on COVID-19.  

The Philippine government recently implemented Enhanced Community Quarantine over Luzon, and similar directives across various provinces in the country. We are ensuring the safety of our passengers and operations teams, in compliance with the stricter quarantine measures, land travel restrictions and regulations in place.  

The last day of operations will be on March 18, 2020 where Cebu Pacific will operate the following flights: 

Manila-Bangkok-Manila 

Manila-Tokyo (Narita)-Manila 

Manila-Osaka-Manila 

Manila-Nagoya-Manila 

Manila-Ho Chi Minh-Manila 

Manila-Singapore-Manila 

Manila-Taipei-Manila 

Manila-Bali (Denpasar)-Manila 

Please check the flight status through bit.ly/CEBflight-status.

Below is a summary of the options for passengers on cancelled flights due to COVID-19. These options may be processed online via the “Manage Booking” portal in the Cebu Pacific website bit.ly/CEBmanageflight.