Caloocan judicial complex for disinfection after prosecutor's staff gets COVID-19; courts closed

The regional and metropolitan trial courts of Caloocan are closed on Tuesday as the city's judicial complex building undergoes disinfection after a staff member at the prosecutor's office tested positive for COVID-19.

Executive Judge Victoriano Cabanos said in a notice that the staff member tested positive for COVID-19 using a rapid antibody test, prompting the local government to schedule the building of the judicial complex for disinfection.

All pleadings in civil and criminal cases, including applications for bail, shall be filed electronically and inquiries may be directed to the courts' official hotlines, pursuant to a Supreme Court administrative circular, the executive judge said.

The Quezon City Hall of Justice was also closed starting Monday and until further notice after an employee of an agency holding office at the building reportedly went to the hall a few days before dying of severe pneumonia and suspected COVID-19.

Courts in Metro Manila and other areas under modified enhanced community quarantine remain physically closed. In places under general community quarantine, the courts  are open with a skeletal workforce and can hear all pending matters. --Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/KBK, GMA News