Work suspended in House from March 16-April 12 over coronavirus fears

MANILA, Philippines — Work in the House of Representatives is suspended for nearly a month due to the intensifying threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

House Secretary General Atty. Jose Luis Montales said that the work suspension would be from March 16 until April 12.

“With the health and safety of the employees of the House of Representatives in mind, House Speaker Alan Peter “Compañero” Cayetano has decided to adopt a work schedule parallel to the one to be implemented by the Executive Department as announced by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on 12 March 2020,” Montales said in a statement.

Some offices, however, shall observe a rotating skeletal workforce during the said suspension.

These offices include the Office of the Sergeant at Arms – Legislative Security Bureau, Finance Department, Engineering and Physical Facilities Department, and Information Communications Technology Service.

“Those not on rotating skeletal workforce shall be allowed to work from home but are required to timely submit their assigned outputs using telecommunication and online technologies,” Montales said.

“As there is an equally urgent need to ensure continuity in the delivery of public service, all HRep employees shall be on-call and may be required to report to office to perform their official duties for the welfare of the public,” he added, noting that committee hearings, briefings, and conferences on COVID-19 may still be conducted.

As of Thursday, four congressmen are under self-quarantine over possible exposure to the disease.

Meanwhile, a House employee in the lower chamber’s Printing Service office tested positive for COVID-19.

All personnel in the same office have been required to undergo self-quarantine and contact tracing will be conducted by the Department of Health (DOH), Montales earlier said.

In another announcement released Thursday, Montales said that Batasang Pambansa Complex will undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection from March 13 until March 15 as a part of the lower chamber’s response against COVID-19.

The coronavirus pandemic has taken over daily lives around the globe, overwhelming hospitals, shuttering schools and offices.

The spread of the virus beyond Asia has dashed hopes about a quick containment, even with travel and social events curbed drastically. And political leaders were among those infected or quarantined due to potential exposure.