ADB staff to work from home after virus-positive patient's visit

Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Thursday it has ordered its staff to temporarily work from home after a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive individual visited the multilateral lender’s premises.

“Staff at the Asian Development Bank’s headquarters in Manila, Philippines, are temporarily working from home from today following advice that a visitor to the Bank has tested positive for the COVID-19,” the bank said in an advisory.

The ADB said its Manila headquarters facility in Ortigas Center, Pasig City will be closed from March 12 to undertake cleaning and disinfecting. 

“Bank operations will continue,” it said.

ADB said its management will make a decision in coming days on when to reopen the bank premises.

“The safety of staff, visitors to the Bank, and their families is of utmost importance to us. We are providing support to staff who interacted with the visitor,” ADB Vice President for Administration and Corporate Management Deborah Stokes said.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News