House on 4-day lockdown amid Metro Manila COVID surge

The House of Representatives has been placed under a four-day lockdown starting Thursday due to the surge in coronavirus cases in Metro Manila.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco ordered the temporary lockdown until March 21 as a precautionary measure to protect health and safety.

As of Thursday, there are at least 33 active COVID-19 cases within the House, with seven patients awaiting clearance from doctors.

The lockdown does not include three lawmakers who tested positive outside the House complex: Mike Defensor, Martin Romualdez, and Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong.

During the lockdown, committee meetings and public hearings will be conducted via Zoom and livestreaming platforms.