6 POLO personnel in Saudi test positive for Covid-19

Labor Attaché Nasser Mustafa said all 37 POLO personnel underwent testing after two POLO staff members were earlier found to be infected, eventually transmitting the virus to other personnel of the post. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia said six of its officers and staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported on Thursday.

Labor Attaché Nasser Mustafa said all 37 POLO personnel underwent testing after two POLO staff members were earlier found to be infected, eventually transmitting the virus to other personnel of the post.

Mustafa said the POLO would thus temporarily suspend its operations effective Sunday, June 14.

“The objective of the temporary suspension is to prevent the escalation of infection among POLO staff and its clients and to allow the conduct of thorough disinfection of the office premises,” he said in a statement.

Mustafa said all officers and staff would be on a work-from-home arrangement effective this weekend.

He added that while they are working from home, they would still respond to calls, offer consulting services to clients, and provide counseling to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress on a 24/7 basis.

Mustafa said they would release an official advisory at the post for the guidance of the transacting public.