Cabinet men, senators, Isko on self-quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — As the number of local 2019 coronavirus disease cases continued to rise, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Nancy Binay have gone on self-quarantine following exposure to persons who were later confirmed to have COVID-19.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno did the same after returning from London where he met with the UK’s task force on the coronavirus.

The government’s entire economic team might also have to go on self-quarantine.

In a statement last night, Gatchalian said he “interacted” with a resource person who attended a March 5 hearing of the Senate committee on education, arts and culture, which he chairs.

After the person tested positive for COVID-19, Gatchalian said he decided to go into self-quarantine and instructed all his staff to do the same.

Binay said last night she was at the Senate hearing and would also go on self-isolation.

Dominguez, in a message to reporters, said, “A fellow I met with Thursday and Friday last week had tested positive for COVID-19 on March 11. I have no symptoms but I am self-isolating until I get tested. You may wish to follow suit.”

Both Dominguez and Gatchalian said they were asymptomatic and felt healthy.

It was not clear if the other officials who attended the Economic Development Cluster meeting last Tuesday at the Department of Finance building would also have to go on self-quarantine.

Among the officials at the cluster meeting were Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

They later held a well attended press conference after the meeting.

Others present at the meeting were Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr., and Finance Undersecretaries Gil Beltran and Karl Kendrick Chua. 

There was no word last night on whether the officials would also go on self-quarantine.