Parañaque, Taguig courts physically closed due to Covid-19 cases

They also ordered disinfection of the court premises after the Office of the City Administrator reported that a civilian security personnel assigned at the north wing of the fourth floor where offices of the judiciary and local legislature is located, tested positive for Covid-19. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – Trial courts in the cities of Parañaque and Taguig were physically closed beginning Friday after some of their personnel tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a joint memorandum, Marisa Buenagua and Noemi Balitaan, executive judges of the Parañaque City Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) and Regional Trial Court (RTC), respectively, required a self-quarantine period for all judges and personnel of the city’s courts and offices of the clerks of court from June 26 to July 2.

They also ordered disinfection of the court premises after the Office of the City Administrator reported that a civilian security personnel assigned at the north wing of the fourth floor where offices of the judiciary and local legislature is located, tested positive for Covid-19.

A similar order was issued by Taguig City RTC Executive Judge Leili Cruz Suarez and MeTC Executive Judge Ma. Victoria Q. Padilla-Awid after a court worker tested positive for Covid-19 in rapid testing.

The measures were approved by the office of Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez.

Meanwhile, they ordered all court personnel to go on self-quarantine from June 26 to July 9.

Judges and court employees affected were advised to avoid contact with the public and conduct contact tracing of all persons they may have been in contact with at the court premises for the past two weeks.

Should anyone develop symptoms, individuals were also advised to report their condition to their respective barangay health workers.

The courts may still be contacted online through their official email addresses and hotlines.