Manila Bulletin
Velasco orders four-day lockdown as lower house COVID-19 cases rise
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has declared a four-day lockdown of the House of Representatives from March 18 to March 21 due to a rise in COVID-19 cases among employees and lawmakers.
The directive was issued on Wednesday night, March 17, to House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza.
The lockdown aims to protect the health and safety of House members and employees in view of the alarming increase in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.
During this period, all offices and conference halls at the Batasan Pambansa complex will be disinfected.
Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and Representatives Michael Defensor and Jocelyn Limkaichong are among those infected.
At least 27 employees from various congressional and administrative offices have also tested positive.
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III also ordered the suspension of session and work in the Senate until March 23, citing the surge in COVID-19 cases.
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