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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 3 PH embassies nursing COVID-positive personnel; action poised on unvaxxed staff --- Locsin

3 PH embassies nursing COVID-positive personnel; action poised on unvaxxed staff --- Locsin

Published Jan 2, 2022 02:07 pm

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. bared that three Philippine embassies have personnel who tested positive of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after an exposure among colleagues including an officer who "refuses vaccination."

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. (File photo/Malacañang)

In a post on Twitter on Jan. 1, Locsin disclosed that the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, Spain has three cases of COVID-19 after a chain of exposure took place on Dec. 26 and 27, 2021.

He also bared that they were exposed to "one of themselves" including one "who refuses vaccination."

"In Madrid 3 tested positive out of 19 because they were exposed on December 26 (Antigen) and 27 (PCR) to one of themselves who'd tested positive including the officer who refuses vaccination—quite rightly as a matter of right," Locsin said.

The Philippine top diplomat added that the same case is "happening in Seoul too and Brussels."

With this he told the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to "get me that memo!"

He then stressed that "refusing vaccination is a basic right; getting deployed to posts and places that expose others to you is a matter of privilege granted by intelligent discretion—firstly on the part of the anti-vaxxer and part of the ultimo head of the Department."

On Dec. 30, the Philippine Embassy in Brussels, Belgium was temporarily closed after one of its personnel tested positive for the viral disease. The embassy there will be closed until Friday, Jan. 7.

READ MORE: PH Embassy in Belgium temporarily closed after personnel tests COVID positive

The Philippine Embassy in Madrid, Spain announced on Jan. 1 that the embassy will be closed from Jan. 3 to 4 to give way to the disinfection of its premises.

"Applicants with schedules appointment may come to the embassy on any working day until the end of January 2022," the Embassy in Madrid said.

The Philippine Embassy in South Korea, on the other hand, has yet to make a disclosure on the situation as of Jan. 2.

Related Tags

Covid19 PHILIPPINE EMBASSY BELGIUM PHILIPPINE EMBASSY SOUTH KOREA PHILIPPINE EMBASSY MADRID 10222 Teodoro Locsin Jr.
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