GSIS head office on lockdown after Senate visitor tested positive for COVID-19

The head office of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in Pasay City was closed on Thursday following confirmation that a resource person who attended a Senate hearing in the building was positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“In light of the confirmation that a resource person who attended a hearing at the Senate (housed in the GSIS building) tested positive for COVID-19, the GSIS HEAD OFFICE in Pasay City is temporarily closed as an urgent precautionary measure,” it said in an advisory.

Due to this, GSIS advised all members, pensioners, and clients to use online channels and platforms for records verification, inquiries, and other GSIS transactions.

The online channels available are Electronic GSIS Member Online (eGSISMO), GSIS Contact Center, GSIS website, GSIS Facebook account, and GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) Kiosks.

“GSIS earnestly appeals for your understanding and cooperation. The health and safety of the stakeholders, as well as the officials and employees, will always remain as the pension fund's top priority,” it said.

A resource person who attended a recent hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday.

Gatchalian said he would go into self-quarantine as he personally interacted with the confirmed COVID-19 case during the hearing.

Senator Nancy Binay also said she will undergo self-quarantine as a precaution against COVID-19 after being exposed as well to the confirmed case in the Senate hearing.

Binay's decision came after Senator Gatchalian's announcement "to take similar precautions and self-monitor for the next 14 days."

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the Senate will be locked down starting Thursday, March 12  in light of the confirmed case.

Cases of COVID-19 infection continued to climb on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) tallied 16 newly confirmed infections, bringing the total to 49 with two deaths. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News