Guidelines on the Health and Safety Protocols to be Observed in the Conduct of the SEC Certification Examinations during the COVID-19 Pandemic Updated as of 26 May 2022

May 26, 2022 SEC NOTICE GUIDELINES ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS TO BE OBSERVED IN THE CONDUCT OF THE SEC CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATED AS OF 26 MAY 2022 I. COVID-19 Vaccine Status The following are the requirement/s for examinees to be allowed to take the examinations, based on the Alert Level in effect in the city/town of the examination venue on the date of the examination: Alert Level Requirement Alert Level 5 No examination Alert Level 4 COVID-19 vaccination card or certificate. 1 Alert Level 3 Alert Level 2 Alert Level 1 COVID-19 vaccination card or certificate. A negative result of COVID-19 Test for partially or unvaccinated individuals. 2 Further, examinees residing in areas under Alert Level 5 or those who have stayed in the same within the last two weeks prior to the date of examination shall be required to present a negative result of COVID-19 Test. All fully-vaccinated examinees are highly encouraged to have a COVID-19 booster shot prior to taking the examination. Acceptable negative COVID-19 Test result Only the following negative COVID-19 Test results conducted by a Department of Health (DOH)-licensed COVID-19 Testing Laboratory shall be acceptable: SARS-CoV-2 Nasal/Saliva Rapid Antigen Test within 24 hours, prior to the examination schedule . ICHDca Oropharyngeal and Nasopharyngeal Swab/Saliva RT-PCR within three (3) days/72 hours, prior to the examination schedule . The negative result (hard copy or electronic copy) shall be presented to the proctor before the start of examination. Negative result of Rapid Antibody Test for IgG and IgM, ECLIA Test and Rapid Antigen Self-Test Kit shall not be accepted. II. Examination Sessions under the Alert Levels System Examinees are advised to monitor the Alert Level in their respective local government units and the areas in granular lockdown. Examinees residing in areas placed under granular lockdown must immediately request for a reschedule through email at [emailprotected] before the examination schedule. The SEC shall also adopt the allowable capacity based on the IATF Guidelines on the Implementation of Alert Levels System for COVID-19 Response . All scheduled examinees will be notified accordingly should there be a change or cancellation of their schedule. III. Other Health and Safety Measures 1. An examinee must not proceed and take the examination under the following conditions: a. Had flu-like symptoms such as fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, body aches and pains, and diarrhea at least three (3) days prior to, or on the date of examination; b. Had close contact or living in the same house with a confirmed case of COVID-19, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic; c. Failed to undergo the required quarantine and isolation according to the DOH Updated Guidelines on Quarantine and Isolation for COVID-19 in the case of a confirmed COVID-19 or a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19; d. Has a pending result of COVID-19 test (RAT, Saliva Test, RT-PCR Test, and others); and e. Failed to comply with the applicable IATF guidelines and protocols on entry to the Philippines, for those who had history of travel abroad. An examinee with any of the abovementioned conditions shall immediately request for a reschedule through email to [emailprotected]. The request shall indicate any of the symptoms mentioned above and the preferred dates of examination. Such request for rescheduling shall be subject to the assessment and/or approval by the SEC Medical Doctor. If the examinee was a confirmed case of COVID-19, he/she shall submit a Barangay Quarantine Clearance or medical certificate stating the completion of the mandatory quarantine. 2. A scheduled examinee who opts not to take the exam due to health reasons other than those enumerated above must email [emailprotected] together with a medical certificate before the scheduled examination. 3. Immediate isolation shall be required for any individual manifesting symptoms of COVID-19, such as continuous cough, runny nose or colds, and fever. 4. Surgical face masks shall be worn at all times. 5. Physical distancing of two (2) meters shall be observed at all times. 6. Cough and sneeze etiquette through the use of non-pharmacological barriers such as the arm and sleeve, use of tissue, and/or moving away from the crowd shall be observed at all times. 7. Proper hand hygiene and control shall be observed at all times. Face, eyes, nose and mouth shall not be touched. Hand hygiene shall be maintained through handwashing with soap and water, or 70% Isopropyl/Ethyl Alcohol. TCAScE IV. Things to Bring on Examination Day 1. A hard copy or electronic copy of the requirement indicated in Section I (COVID-19 Vaccine Status). 2. A hard copy or e-copy of duly accomplished Certificate of Consent (if e-copy, send to [emailprotected]). 3. One (1) original valid identification ID card (see list below). If the examinee fails to present a valid ID card, he/she shall not be allowed to take the examination and the examination payment shall be forfeited. List of acceptable Philippine-issued identification (ID) cards Philippine Identification (PhilID) NBI Clearance SSS ID Latest Passport UMID Latest Driver's License PRC License Police Clearance PWD ID Solo Parent ID COMELEC Voter's ID CSC Eligibility Card BIR/Taxpayer's ID Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card PhilHealth ID Company/Office ID Postal ID Latest School ID Barangay ID 4. Proof of examination payment (hard copy or e-copy). 5. Application Receipt (hard copy or e-copy). 6. One (1) blue or black ballpoint pen. 7. One (1) pencil (any type). 8. One (1) ordinary calculator (scientific/financial/programmable calculators are not allowed). 9. 70% Isopropyl or Ethyl Alcohol for personal use. 10. Email confirmation of new examination schedule (if rescheduled examinee). V. Pre-Examination Procedures Prior to entry to the examination venue: 1. Wear surgical face mask. 2. Submit to non-contact temperature check. Any examinee with an initial temperature of more than 37.5C will be advised to take a rest for 5-10 minutes. Should the temperature change to less than or equal to 37.5C, the examinee will be allowed entry to take the examination. Should the temperature remain more than 37.5C, the examinee will be immediately isolated. 3. Present a hard copy or e-copy of the following requirements to the guard on duty: A copy of the requirement indicated in Section I (COVID-19 Vaccine Status). A fully accomplished Health Declaration Form . Prior to the start of the examination: 1. Be at the examination venue at least 15 minutes prior for the Head Office exam and 30 minutes for provincial. Examinees are encouraged to use the restroom prior to the start of the examination to minimize movement during the examination. 2. Wash hands with soap and water in the restroom, or sanitize hands with 70% Isopropyl or Ethyl Alcohol prior to entry to the Examination Room. 3. Submit to non-contact temperature check prior to entry to the examination venue following the same procedure on temperature screening. 4. Place belongings in the designated area. The SEC will not be liable for any lost belongings. Only pencil, 70% Isopropyl or Ethyl Alcohol, bottled water, medicine/liniment, tissue paper, and eyeglasses are allowed to be brought to the examination area. 5. Present the following requirements to the proctor for verification: An original copy of a valid ID card (see List of acceptable Philippine-issued identification (ID) cards) ITAaHc Hard copy or e-copy of: A copy of the requirement indicated in Section I (COVID-19 Vaccine Status) Certificate of Consent (if e-copy, send to [emailprotected]) Proof of payment Application Receipt After verification, the examinee will be advised to sign the attendance sheet to confirm the correctness of the name and examination indicated. 6. In case an examinee arrives late, he or she may take the examination within the remaining time allotted. 7. Non-appearance on the day of examination would mean forfeiture of payment. VI. Examination Procedure 1. Examinees must read and follow the Examinees' Guide. 2. Examinees who have questions and concerns must raise their hand and wait to be acknowledged by the proctor. 3. Examinees who need to go to the restroom must advise the proctor. 4. Examinees are prohibited from talking to each other. 5. If, during the examination, the proctor notices an examinee manifesting symptoms of COVID-19, such as continuous cough, runny nose or colds, and fever, the examinee will be immediately isolated. VII. Post-Examination Procedure The examinee must promptly leave the venue after taking the examination. VIII. Attire All examinees are advised to wear comfortable, smart casual attire. Sleeveless shirt, shorts/short pants and slippers are not allowed. We also advise to bring a blazer, cardigan or jacket as some may find the examination venue quite cold. This Guideline is subject to change to comply with the latest guidelines and resolutions that may be issued by the IATF or the Department of Health. Footnotes 1. According to the IATF Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response . 2. IATF Resolution No. 148-B, Series of 2021 , November 11, 2021, provides: "Public and private establishments, even if not required by the Guidelines on the Implementation of Alert Levels System for COVID-19 Response in Pilot Areas to accommodate only fully vaccinated individuals, may nonetheless validly refuse entry and/or deny service to individuals who remain to be unvaccinated, or are merely partially vaccinated, despite being eligible for vaccination. Provided that frontline and emergency services shall continue to render assistance to all persons regardless of vaccination status.