MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) shut down yesterday its main office in Intramuros, Manila for disinfection after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.
The employee was among those who underwent rapid antibody testing for COVID-19 last week, according to BI acting spokesman Melvin Mabulac.
“He initially tested positive in the rapid testing conducted on June 2 so he was subjected to confirmatory swab test. The result showing he has the virus came out on Saturday,” Mabulac said.
BI workers who had close contact with the virus-infected employee were ordered to undergo testing and the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the BI office would be closed for two to three days to allow the general services division to disinfect the entire building.
“This is to ensure the safety not only our employees but that of the transacting public as well,” Morente said.
He said those who have appointments with the BI would be notified of the new schedule.
“We assure the public that the bureau will resume operations as soon as we have finished the disinfection,” Morente said.
Other BI satellite and extension offices in Metro Manila remain open for business.
Morente advised the public to visit the bureau’s website immigration.gov.ph for advisories and announcements.
DOLE office shut down
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) central office in Intramuros, Manila was closed yesterday amid reports that one of its employees was infected with the virus.
The agency said the office would be closed for disinfection until today.
“Operations at the DOLE main office will resume on June 10,” the department said. Mayen Jaymalin