House personnel undergo COVID-19 testing ahead of SONA 2020

MANILA, Philippines — Several employees at the House of Representatives underwent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapid testing Monday morning as part of health protocols ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa.

The testing is one of the requirements for those who will physically attend this year’s SONA as safety precaution amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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On Sunday, lawmakers—including Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano—also underwent reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing.

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House Administrative Department Deputy Secretary General Dr. Ramon Ricardo Roque earlier said that several health protocols will be implemented for Duterte’s SONA  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.

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.

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