DOJ complex in Manila on lockdown after 5 employees test positive for COVID-19

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered a lockdown of the Department of Justice (DOJ) complex in Manila after five employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Undersecretary Markk Perete said the Padre Faura complex will be on lockdown starting Thursday, June 18, until June 28.

Guevarra said on-site work will resume on June 29.

Three of the employees who tested positive are from the DOJ proper, Guevarra said. Another one of the five is in the field office and the other is an outsourced security guard, he said.

A total of 72 DOJ personnel, including outsourced staff, had tested positive for COVID-19 through rapid testing and underwent a confirmatory swab test. The five were confirmed positive, he said.

Guevarra, who earlier said three personnel at the DOJ proper have tested positive, said on-site work will resume on June 29.

"Much of the work will continue to be done from home," Guevarra said.

"Affidavits, motions, and other papers in connection with scheduled preliminary investigations (PI) conducted by state prosecutions will continue to be received at the frontline; otherwise, the PI may just have to be reset," he added. 

The national COVID-19 case total was 27,238 as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Department of Health. Of this number, 6,820 patients have recovered and 1,108 have died.— RSJ/LDF, GMA News