By Ellson Quismorio
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is suspending work for employees from Monday, March 16, to Wednesday, March 18, to make way for cleaning and disinfecting activities.
In its advisory, the CSC bared that the move was "in line with the Memorandum from the Office of the President signed by the Executive Secretary, issued on 13 March 2020 by order of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as well as the Department of Health (DOH) Advisories to manage the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)."
Those covered by the work suspension are the CSC Central Office, CSC National Capital Region (NCR) and its Field Offices, and CSC Regional Office IV Office in Quezon City.
Presidente Duterte last Thursday announced that he would place NCR under a month-long "community quarantine," meaning the entry of individuals to Metro Manila would be tightly controlled.
The Palace announcement came with a directive to suspend work in government offices, although a skeletal force would be maintained.
While the virus that causes COVID-19 is feared for its somewhat efficient transmission, health authorities have repeatedly told the public that it can be avoided through the observance of proper hygiene and coughing etiquette.
The Commission earlier cancelled the conduct of the Career Service Examination-Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) last Saturday, March 15, due to fears over the local spread of COVID-19.