Courts in 'NCR Plus' areas to maintain skeleton workforce until March 31

Trial courts in the National Capital Region (NCR), Laguna, Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal implemented a skeleton workforce starting on Tuesday to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in these areas.

In a circular, Court Administrator Midas Marquez directed the courts to maintain a skeleton workforce of 30% to 50% from March 23 until March 31 (half day). Other employees will have to work from home, but they must submit accomplishment reports.

Marquez “highly encouraged” presiding judges to conduct hearings via video conferencing. A judge who will avail of this option, however, should still go to the court in case there are urgent matters that require his or her presence.

Marquez also urged all judges, court personnel, and court users to strictly observe safety protocols.

Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the government placed Metro Manila and the four provinces under a general community quarantine bubble

Residents of “NCR Plus” areas are not allowed to go outside the bubble, while residents outside the bubble are not allowed entry except for purposes deemed by the government as "essential."

The movement restrictions, which took effect on March 22 and will last until April 4, aim to reduce cases by at least 25%, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

The Philippines on Monday shattered its single-day record for new cases, tallying 8,019 more infections to bring the total caseload to 671,792.

The country has so far reported 12,972 deaths. —KBK, GMA News