SUPPLEMENT OCCUPATIONAL COVID-19 TO THE LIST OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES ENTITLE FOR SOCIAL INSURANCE

On February 9, 2023, the Ministry of Health issued Circular No. 02/2023/TT-BYT ("Circular 02") amending and supplementing a number of articles of Circular No. 15/2016/TT-BYT dated May 15, 2016 ON occupational diseases entitled to social insurance.

Accordingly, occupational COVID-19 is additionally considered as an occupational disease entitled to social insurance pursuant to this Circular.  Occupational COVID-19 disease is a disease arising in the course of work because employees are exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the working environment.

1. The disease causative factors is determined by one of the following documents:

1. Minutes of determination of occupational exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus;
2. Written nomination to participate in epidemic prevention, service and relief for people infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus, signed and sealed by the unit leader, and other appropriate documents issued by competent state agencies;
3. Assessment of occupational exposure factors according to the prescribed form;
4. Confirmation minutes of exposure to harmful factors causing acute occupational diseases.

2. Subjects diagnosed with occupational COVID-19:

1. People working at medical establishments;
2. People engaged in laboratory work, sampling, sample transportation, handling, preservation and destruction of samples containing SARS-CoV-2 virus;
3. People working in epidemic prevention, service and relief of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus.

3. Benefits for those diagnosed with occupational COVID-19:

For those who are diagnosed with COVID-19 due to exposure in the course of work during the period from 01/02/2020 to before 01/04/2023, are entitled to make occupational disease records for assessment examination and for enjoying the occupational disease regime as per current regulations.

The supplementation of occupational COVID-19 to the occupational disease list is in line with current practice due to its serious sequelae for infected people, especially for those working in environments having direct contact with the infection source. During the recent COVID-19 epidemic, people working in healthcare sectors have been exposed to a great toxic source of infection, plus increased working intensity and prolonged stress. Given such supplementation, employees diagnosed with COVID-19 in the course of work will be entitled to all benefits under current occupational disease regulations, as well as compensate for the losses they suffered in the past.

In addition, Circular 02 also provides numerous instructions on diagnosis and assessment of occupational COVID-19 disease.

Circular 02 shall take effect from 01/04/2023.