Malacañang said that the meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the address of President Duterte to the nation Monday will proceed without Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año.
(ARMAN BAYLON / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Año confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19 anew.
In a text message, Roque said that everyone else who will see the President in Davao City Monday have tested negative.
"We were all tested pursuant to the requirement of Mayor Sara (Duterte) at least 72 hours before entry into the city," he said.
"All those seeing PRRD on Monday tested negative except for Secretary Año," he added.
Duterte will announce Monday the quarantine classification of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal who are all under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until Aug. 18.
According to Año, he began having flu-like symptoms such as sore throat and body pains on Aug.13. He had himself tested and began self-quarantine the following day. The test result came back positive on Saturday night.
The Interior and Local Government Secretary reminded the public to wear a mask, practice proper handwashing, and follow social distancing rules.