The Senate issued on Friday, Aug. 5 stricter guidelines for the entry of visitors and guests to the Senate building starting Monday.
This developed as the rate of Covid-19 cases continues to increase. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano tested Covid-19 positive this week.
Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said visitors and guests must secure prior appointment with the offices to be visited based on the Senate health and safety protocols.
The Zubiri directive stated that, henceforth, the concerned offices should notify the Office of the Sergeant at Arms (OSAA) of the appointment and provide a list of visitors or guests at least one day before the appointment.
Those who are not included on the list will be denied entry to the Senate building.
The other requirements are:
-Presenting to the medical staff on duty at the Senate lobby proof of full vaccination (primary dose series with at least one booster dose).
-Presenting a negative RT-PCR test result with QR code (valid for 48 hours from specimen collection) or a negative antigen test result (valid for 24 hours from specimen collection). The Covid-19 tests (RT-PCR and Antigen) should be performed at any Department of Health (DOH)-accredited facility. Self-conducted Covid-19 Antigen tests without any certification shall not be accepted.
Some of the health and safety standards that are being implemented or would be implemented within the Senate are:
-Media interviews shall only be conducted at the designated areas.
-Observance of the one-seat apart restriction during plenary sessions and committee hearings.
-Mandatory wearing of face masks at all times, whether outdoor or indoor, except when eating and drinking.
-Observance of physical distancing in areas where queuing is required such as biometric machines, ATMs and elevators.