House requires COVID testing for lawmakers who will physically attend Sona

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers who will physically attend President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 27, will be required to undergo testing for coronavirus.

House Administrative Department Deputy Secretary General Dr. Ramon Ricardo Roque said that senators and House members, as well as technical staff, who will attend the Sona shall undergo both RT-PCR test and rapid testing to ensure that they are cleared of COVID-19.

For House members and staff, the RT-PCR tests will happen on July 26 from 8 a.m.  to 1 p.m. while the rapid test will happen on July 27, from 6 a.m. to 12 noon at the De Venecia Hall at the South Wing Annex in Batasang Pambansa.

Roque said the Senate and Malacañang will have their own collection venue.

Several health protocols will be implemented for Duterte’s penultimate Sona at the Batasang Pambansa such as the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields for those entering the session hall.

Physical distancing of two meters will also be strictly implemented, said Roque.

Floor markings of at least six feet apart will also be placed at all entrances, elevators, and places with foot traffic while one way stairwells will be designated to avoid congestion.

Elevators will also be limited to four passengers at any given time and talking while inside it will be highly discouraged.

Roque added that health screening, checking of body temperature, disinfection and submission of health declaration forms will likewise, be conducted at all building entrances.

Persons with temperature reading of 37.5 degrees or higher will be denied entry and instead be redirected to quarantine tents attended by medical personnel, Roque said.

JPV