MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson will also subject himself to self-quarantine as a precautionary measure after a resource person, who tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) attended a hearing last week in the Senate.
“Better safe than sorry for others,” Lacson said in a statement on Thursday.
“There is every reason to be concerned as far as the Senate since an invited resource person who has been tested positive for COVID-19 had not only entered the Senate premises but even interacted with at least two senators and their staff,” he added.
On March 5, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian led a public hearing on the complementary roles of public and private institutions in the Philippine educational system. He has decided to undergo self quarantine after interacting with the Senate resource person who later tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Senator Nancy Binay likewise subjected herself to self-quarantine as she was also present in the said hearing.
“In my case, since I shared the elevator with Sen. Gatchalian yesterday afternoon on our way to the session hall, I am taking precaution by doing self-quarantine while waiting for the result of his test. If he tests positive, I will have to undergo the test myself,” Lacson went on.
“We agreed to disinfect the Senate starting today. I would encourage my fellow senators who may have interacted with our two colleagues, Senators Binay and Gatchalian, to follow their lead and do self-quarantine for two weeks as well, not only for our sake but for others,” he added.
The Senate has been placed under restrictive access for a disinfection of the building.