Comelec shuts down Intramuros offices after COVID-19 spread among employees

The Commission on Elections on Wednesday ordered the temporary closure of all its offices in Intramuros, Manila for two weeks after a recent transmission of COVID-19 among its employees.

In a statement, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the closure of the main office and the offices of the regional election director of the National Capital Region, Region IV-A and Region IV-B will be from March 11 to March 24.

“We wish to assure the public, however, that work remains unhampered,” Jimenez said.

“Preparations for the Palawan plebiscite as well as the 2022 national and local elections are underway and will continue to be undertaken by the officials and employees responsible,” he added.

Jimenez said the offices concerned could be reached during regular working hours through their official email address and other official online communication platforms.

He added that Comelec’s official Facebook and Twitter accounts would be available to answer queries from the public.

So far, the country has recorded a total of 603,308 cases of COVID-19 including 542,293 recoveries and 12,545 fatalities. -NB, GMA News