Philippine gov’t officials decide to undergo self-quarantine

March 12, 2020

Some Philippine government officials have decided to undergo self-quarantine for having exposure with persons who were confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus disease.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Senator Win Gatchalian were among the government officials who volunteered to isolate themselves for 14 days.

Dominguez, in a text message to reporters, said that he was told that a fellow whom he met last Thursday and Friday last week was tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

"I have no symptoms but am self/isolating until I get tested," he said.

Gatchalian, in a separate statement, said that he was recently informed that a resource person who attended the hearing of the Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, which he chairs, last March 5 has tested positive for COVID-19.

"Though I am asymptomatic and feel healthy, I will follow government set protocols on such cases and go into self-quarantine immediately given that I interacted with the said individual during that committee hearing," he said.

Gatchalian said he instructed all his staff to do the same especially those who had direct contact with the said resource person.

Manila City Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso has also decided to undergo self-quarantine after his official business trip to the United Kingdom.

In a statement, Manila City Public Information Office said Domagoso immediately submitted himself to testing by the Department of Health officials under the supervision of Assistant Director Paz Corrales for COVID-19.

Domagoso went to London to discuss crime prevention to national security and urban regeneration to public health administration with the UK government officials. Celerina Monte/DMS