CLARK FREEPORT -- The Yokohama Tire Philippines Incorporated (YTPI) has intensified its safety measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 in its workplace.

This, after a contractual worker tested positive for the virus.

YTPI president Tetsuya Nagao said the company is working closely with the health and sanitation division of Clark Development Corporation (CDC-HSD) to contain the virus.

The Japanese tire manufacturer is also implementing government guidance on how to protect workers from spread of disease such as providing adequate personal protective equipment, promoting personal hygiene and strict implementation of social distancing guidelines.

Nagao underscored welfare and safety of its employees and visitors as its highest priority in a meeting with Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo on July 9. He said that YTPI maintains a safe workplace for its more than 2,500 employees.

All 110 YTPI employees and 52 contractual workers connected to the manpower agency Aresun tested negative for coronavirus. These workers had a close contact with the contractual utility personnel who tested positive for the virus on July 4.

Joanne Pangilinan, YTPI public relations and general services manager, said the company laid down preventive measures against Covid-19.

"Compliant with the safety measures on the prevention and control of the spread of Covid-19, YTPI strictly adheres to the guidelines set by CDC as the administrator of Clark Freeport," she said.

Pangilinan added that the company has implemented the use of health declaration form for all employees and visitors to monitor the person's health status for the day.

In addition to these, temperature check and foot bath/disinfecting mat are provided at the main entrance.

Aside from installing physical barriers/shield at office tables, transaction windows and cafeteria, the company also reduced the of maximum number of passengers at shuttle services and placed signage at common facilities and foot-markings to enforce physical distancing, according to Pangilinan.