BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: Governor Carlos Padilla has ordered a three-day temporary closure of all offices, both local and national, at the capitol compound here to prevent and control the spread of Covid-19.
In his Special Order No. 01-2022, dated January 11, 2022, Padilla said the issuance is deemed necessary based on the recommendation of the Provincial Covid-19 Inter-Agcney Task Force after a sudden upsurge of cases of the dreaded disease in the capitol compound.
“The issuance is in order to contain further transmission of Covid-19 to employees, their families, and the public whom we serve,” Padilla said.
He added that the temporary closure will further allow the disinfection of building facilities including contact tracing of employees who are directly exposed to confirmed Covid-19 patients.
The three-day closure started on January 11 in which all employees will not report for work except employees of the provincial local government unit hospitals, jail, security division, integrated health office, disaster risk reduction management office, social work and development office, bureau of fire and protection and the red cross.
Padilla said offices will implement a skeleton workforce or shift schedules so as not to hamper the delivery of basic services.
He said the provincial assessment office and the provincial tourism and culture office are also covered by the temporary closure.
However, all provincial local government unit employees are on call for the entire duration and may be required to report for work as needed.
Padilla said failure to report for work when instructed for the exigency of service will be declared absent subject to a certification by the concerned department head.
Padilla said all employees are directed to stay at home except for essential needs and to strictly follow standard health protocols.
“Administrative charges may be filed against employees and staff found and proven to have violated Covid protocols and this special order,” he added.
The special order also prohibits persons below 15 years old to enter the provincial capitol compound.