Philippine economic agencies suspend operations for disinfection

Key Philippine economic agencies, including the Department of Finance (DOF) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), suspended operations on March 12 to undergo thorough disinfection following exposure to a COVID-19 patient.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez announced that the DOF building in Manila would be disinfected and work would resume only after approval from the Department of Health (DOH).

Dominguez, who had met with a person later confirmed as a COVID-19 carrier, placed himself under self-isolation along with other officials and staff.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), BOC, BIR, and Treasury were also ordered to disinfect their premises over the weekend.