Three regional trial court (RTC) branches in Biñan City, Laguna have been temporarily closed until October after an employee tested positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Supreme Court (SC).
The SC Public Information Office (SCPIO) informed the public in its Twitter post on Friday, Sept. 25, that Biñan Executive Judge Teodoro Solis has issued a memorandum which ordered the closure of RTC Branches 153, 154, and 155.
In his memorandum dated Sept. 25, Solis said the three RTC branches, all located in the Alonte Sports Arena, will be closed until Oct. 8 after a staff of RTC Branch 155 was found to have tested positive for COVID-19.
“The judges and all their staff must undergo swab testing,” the magistrate ordered.
“Contact tracing should be done to determine who may have gotten in close contact with the concerned staff outside of the office,” he added.
During this period, the magistrate said all three branches “must undergo disinfection under the supervision of their designated court personnel.”
“Meanwhile, the judges of the above-mentioned courts may conduct video conferencing hearings from home for cases already set during the quarantine period,” Solis instructed.
“The said courts are still accessible through their respective hotline numbers and/or email addresses,” he added.