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Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure PT-2020-4/532 – measures in Portugal

Occupational health and safety promotion - Health professionals

Promoção da saúde e segurança no trabalho - Profissionais de saúde

Country Portugal , applies nationwide
Time period Temporary, 25 January 2020 – 05 May 2023
Context COVID-19
Type Non-binding recommendations or other texts
Category Protection of workers, adaptation of workplace
– Occupational health and safety
Author Heloisa Perista and Maria da Paz Campos Lima (CESIS)
Measure added 13 April 2020 (updated 30 May 2025)

Background information

Within the scope of the infection by the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV or nCoV), and in order to minimise the risks of transmission of this infection, the Guidelines 002/2020 of 25 January, updated on 10 February 2020, and 003/2020 of 30 January were issued by the General-Directorate of Health. These are addressed to health professionals, notably aiming at promoting their occupational health and safety. These guidelines may be updated at any time and complementary specific orientations will be issued. The situations not foreseen in these guidelines should be assessed case by case.

Content of measure

In order to minimise the risks of transmission of infection, the General-Directorate of Health issued guidelines addressed to health professionals, notably aiming at promoting their occupational health and safety.

These guidelines define procedures in this domain regarding: - how to deal with a case suspect of infection; - how to implement measures of prevention and control of infection when dealing with patients with a confirmation of infection; - how to prevent and control infection in health services, hospitals in particular; - the type and characteristics of individual protective equipment to be used according to the level of care to be provided; - the disinfection of materials and equipments; - environment control; - safe clothes handling; - safe waste collection.

Use of measure

Not available

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Particular professions
Does not apply to businesses Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
National government
National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role No involvement No involvement
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • Unknown
  • Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

No involvement of social partners.

Views and reactions

Not available.

Sectors and occupations

    • Economic area Sector (NACE level 2)
      Q - Human Health And Social Work Activities Q86 Human health activities
    • Occupation (ISCO level 2)
      Health associate professionals
      Health professionals

Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2020), Occupational health and safety promotion - Health professionals, measure PT-2020-4/532 (measures in Portugal), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/PT-2020-4_532.html

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