SMC begins COVID-19 testing, building lab for safe return to work

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has begun testing its employees for COVID-19 and is building its own testing laboratory to ensure a safe return to work for its staff.

The company is prioritizing security, maintenance, and essential personnel for initial testing, with plans to expand to manufacturing and operations staff across various facilities.

SMC is implementing strict safety measures, including physical distancing, use of protective equipment, temperature checks, and hand washing, to prevent virus transmission.

Initially, only 20 percent of head office employees will return to work, while the majority will continue to work from home.

The construction of SMC's dedicated PCR testing laboratory is already 60 percent complete and is expected to increase the company's testing capacity.

SMC aims to quickly identify and isolate infected individuals to protect its workforce and ensure business continuity.

Testing at Visayas and Davao facilities is scheduled to begin by the end of May or early June.