Panel SA: Debate over Covid medical certificate time grows among entrepreneurs

The debate about a possible reduction in the number of days of isolation of people infected with Covid has taken shape in the business community in recent days, after reports of activities hampered by the lack of manpower grew.

This week, Azul announced that it had even canceled flights because of the medical discharges of contaminated crew members who were unable to work. The matter has also been monitored by Latam and Gol, not least because the same problem has already led to the cancellation of thousands of departures abroad during the year-end travel season.

In the restaurant sector, there are cases of establishments that had to close their doors for a few days or hire extra staff because most of their employees were hit by Covid or the flu.

With similar difficulties, private hospitals sent a request to the Ministry of Health to reduce the time of absence of professionals in the area who contract Covid, according to Antonio Britto, executive director of Anahp (which brings together the large institutions of the private network).

The Minister of Health, Marcelo Queiroga, has already publicly expressed himself on the subject. He said the paste can shorten isolation from 10 to 5 days among asymptomatic people.

The argument of those who ask for the measure is based on the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States) which has already given a similar recommendation there.

The recent difficulty with testing is another issue that hinders the conduct of the affected operations.

“The issue is a delicate one. The productive sector has always complied with the protocols determined by the government. We have seen industry departures without criteria, even due to the lack of testing. The ideal would be a broad testing program. I believe that this would help management a lot of occupational health within companies and would help in the management of the health system”, says José Ricardo Roriz, president of Abiplast (association of the plastics industry).

Paulo Solmucci, president of Abrasel (association of bars and restaurants), says that the discussion is welcome if it is safe. “We already have a problem with manpower on the plane, on the bus, at the bar. You can’t wait 10 or 14 days for the person to come back. But you have to see if it’s possible to come back with less time. “, he says.

The matter is treated with caution because, according to industry representatives, strong proof of safety for workers will be demanded.

For now, the determination is to wait for what the doctors and technicians say, according to Eduardo Sanovicz, president of Abear, an association of airlines.

In this debate, Nelson Mussolini, president of Sindusfarma, states that the pharmaceutical industry works based on science. “We follow medical protocols to preserve the health of workers in our sector”, he says.

with Andressa Motter e Ana Paula Branco