Manila Bulletin
SC issues new guidelines on court closures due to COVID-19
The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) has clarified that court-wide lockdowns will only be implemented if a COVID-19 case is confirmed through a swab test, not solely based on rapid antibody tests.
According to Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, courts will be closed for 14 days and disinfected if a rapid test result is confirmed positive by a confirmatory swab test.
If the swab test returns negative, the court is expected to remain open while strictly adhering to health and safety protocols.
During the waiting period for confirmatory test results, initial contact tracing will be conducted, and symptomatic individuals will be required to self-quarantine for at least 14 days.
The guidelines aim to prevent unnecessary and indiscriminate closures of courts to the public based on inconclusive test results.
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The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) in Makati City has been placed on lockdown starting Tuesday, June 30, after an employee tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antibody test.
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