Resource person with COVID-19 forces Senate to go on lockdown

Updated @ 11:53 p.m., March 11, 2020

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate will be on lockdown Thursday to allow disinfection after a resource person who recently attended a hearing tested positive for the coronavirus disease, or COVID-19.

In an interview in GMA News TV’s “State of the Nation,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he and Senate Secretary Myra Villarica had the CCTV footage at the Padilla Room checked to see who the resource person interacted with during the hearing.

On March 5, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian led a public hearing on the complementary roles of public and private institutions in the Philippine educational system.

READ: Gatchalian goes into self-quarantine after interacting with virus-positive resource person

“During the hearing, there seemed to be no problem. That resource person told them [Gatchalian’s committee] today that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and that his wife was also infected, and I think she is in critical condition,” Sotto said.

The Senate was put on full alert on Wednesday evening, Sotto added.

Meanwhile, he and Sen. Richard Gordon had talked and agreed to cancel a hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Gordon was set to resume his probe into the alleged money laundering, crimes, and other nefarious activities linked with Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

Gatchalian, who interacted with the said resource person, said he would undergo self-quarantine.

“I instructed all my staff to do the same especially those who had direct contact with the said person too,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

Sotto asked for understanding from the public, saying: “Apologies to those who always seek assistance from the Senate, that would not be allowed for the meantime because the disinfection of the building may last until over the weekend.”

“We will just issue an announcement on the resumption of the committee hearings,” he added.

/atm

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