Senate staff who may be infected with COVID-19 urged to self-quarantine, work from home

The Senate Building’s main entrance. PHOTO from Leila Salaverria, PDI

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III advised Senate employees to go on self-quarantine but continue to work from home if they feel any of the symptoms of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or was exposed to local patients.

Sotto also advised any Senate staff who recently travelled to countries with high contamination rates to undergo self-quarantine.

“Employees who feel they might be infected should volunteer to go on self-isolation. But they should inform their respective office heads about their decision for proper monitoring and coordination purposes,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

This as offices or areas have been scheduled for cleaning and disinfection after Sotto directed the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to enforce restricted access to certain areas in the building.

“We should all look out for the health and well-being of each other,” Sotto said.

The move came after senators were informed that a resource person, who attended a Senate committee hearing last March 5, tested positive for COVID-19.

Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Nancy Binay, who had direct contact with the patient, as well as their office staff are now on self-quarantine.

“I have given strict instructions that all employees should exercise extreme preventive practices as they go about their daily tasks,” Sotto said.

“It is of utmost importance that everyone observe proper hygiene and follow protocols as a precaution against contamination,” he added.

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