SC suspends work to give way for ‘thorough’ building disinfection

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court has suspended work from March 11 to March 14, 2021 to give way for disinfection of offices and buildings due to the rising number of COVID-19 infections.

“After consultation with the other Justices and chiefs of offices, more thorough disinfection, cleaning and sanitation of the different buildings and offices of the Supreme Court is hereby ordered to be undertaken to minimize the possible spread of infection,” Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said in a two-page memorandum issued Wednesday.

During this period of disinfection and sanitation, Peralta said they would allow committees with previously scheduled meetings to proceed, depending on the discretion of the chairperson or head of the committee.

Urgent matters should be attended to by the concerned chiefs or heads of offices, who are expected to be reached at any time of the day.

They also expect on-duty personnel of the Medical and Dental Services, Security and Maintenance Divisions, Office of Administrative Services-Supreme Court to report for work.

Peralta also ordered that from March 15 to March 19, all offices are required to maintain a skeleton force of 50 percent in order to maintain physical distancing of six feet.

Currently, the country’s active COVID-19 case count went up to 44,470 with 2,886 new infections.

READ: Active COVID-19 cases shoot to 44,470 with 2,886 new infections

The Supreme Court last Tuesday has also suspended the oral arguments on the petitions against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 due to the need for the justices to undergo self-quarantine.

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