Supreme Court of the Philippines (FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines—There will be a three-day work suspension in the Supreme Court from January 3 to 5, 2022, after a number of court personnel tested positive for COVID-19 after taking an antigen test last Dec. 27, 2021.
The Medical and Dental Services (MDS) submitted a report to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo stating that that “many Court personnel who have positive results on antigen testing done from Dec. 27, 2021, to date and that contact tracing conducted reveals they were in close physical contact with other Court employees.”
Gesmundo then consulted the other justices (en banc) about the situation.
The Chief Justice then issued Memorandum Order No. 2-2022 declaring a work suspension from Monday, January 3, to Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
The suspension is to pave way for similar testing of all other court personnel and for the disinfection of the entire court premises.
Meanwhile, concerned personnel of the Office of the Bar Chair, Office of the Bar Confidant who are involved in the 2020/21 Bar Examinations, Office of the Administrative Services, and Receiving Section of the Judicial Records Office involved in e-filing are still required to report on-site.
On the other hand, the vaccination (booster) scheduled on Jan. 3 as well as the en banc session shall proceed as scheduled on Jan. 4.