Lockdown at House extended, says Speaker Velasco

The House of Representatives will remain on lockdown from January 10 to 16 following the continuous increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in Metro Manila, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said Friday.

“We have decided to extend the lockdown by another week from January 10 to 16 as a precautionary measure to protect the health and safety of House members and employees in view of an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in NCR and adjacent provinces,” Velasco said in a statement.

The operations at the House were supposed to resume next week after being placed on lockdown this entire week due to the threat of the highly transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant.

Velasco said regular work would resume on January 17 with only 20% of the workforce in each office at the House allowed to report for work.

The House leader also directed the chamber's Secretary General, Mark Llandro Mendoza, to ensure the strict enforcement of the lockdown.

He advised lawmakers and employees to stay at home as he assured them of continued access to virtual committee meetings, public hearings and other events in the House during the lockdown period.

Meanwhile, Velasco appealed to the public to remain vigilant and strictly follow the minimum health standards against COVID-19 pandemic.

“Now, more than ever, it is important to continue to wear face mask, maintain proper physical distancing, practice good hygiene, and get vaccinated. For those who have already completed their primary doses of COVID-19 vaccine, get your booster shot once you’re eligible,” Velasco said.

“These are small steps that will surely help us in a big way to protect ourselves and our loved ones from contracting the virus as we continue to fight this pandemic. We must not let our guard down,” he added. — RSJ, GMA News