Duterte announces suspension of gov’t work due to COVID-19

President Rodrigo Duterte has announced the suspension of work in the executive branch of the government in connection with its declaration of Code Red Sub-Level 2 in connection with the spread of COVID-19.

The suspension will last for a month unless sooner lifted by the government, according to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).  Guevarra did not say when the work suspension will begin.

"Work in the executive branch shall be suspended during this period... without prejudice to the formation of skeletal workforces by government agencies in order to maintain the unimpeded delivery of services to the public," Duterte said.

The government also encouraged Congress and the judiciary to suspend work.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, as well as health and emergency frontline services will continue in full operation.

"Flexible work arrangements shall likewise shall be encouraged in the private sector," Duterte said, adding they should follow guidelines from the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry designed to safeguard the welfare of the workers.

All manufacturing, retail and service establishments were advised to remain in operation, provided that strict social distancing measures are observed, the government said.

Mass public transports such as the Light Rail Transits, the Metro Transit, and the Philippine National Railways shall continue in operation, it added. —NB/LDF, GMA News