MANILA – The main offices of the Department of Justice (DOJ) may physically re-open by mid-week, depending on the number of personnel who will test positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) virus.
DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra, speaking to newsmen on Monday, said the agency, being directly under the national government, is not covered by local government edicts on granular lockdowns.
The DOJ compound along Padre Faura Street in Manila is in Barangay 696, which is among the areas under granular lockdown from Monday until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday.
"With due respect to the city government of Manila, national government agencies take their cue from the Office of the President (OP) on the suspension of onsite work," Guevarra said.
In the case of the DOJ, he said they are evaluating the situation to see if there is a need to further extend the suspension of onsite work and seek clearance from the OP for that purpose.
“If the upsurge in Covid cases here has been controlled, we shall resume onsite work on Wednesday at 30 percent capacity. The rest of our personnel will work from home," Guevarra added.
DOJ spokesperson Emmeline Villar said that as of Monday, they have 45 active Covid-19 cases and one recovery.
"Majority are in home quarantine, being asymptomatic/mild cases, eight are in quarantine facilities and two are in the hospital," she said. (PNA)
