By Jean Fernando Makati City executive judge Elmo Alameda has issued a memorandum ordering all judges and personnel to go on self-quarantine for 14 days starting June 25 up to July 8. This was after an employee tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and a relative who is also a Makati court employee was designated a person under investigation. The Regional Trial Courts (RTCs), Metropolitan Trial Courts (MTCs) and the Offices of the Clerk of Courts (OCCs) will be physically closed during the 14 day quarantine. Alameda, in his memorandum, also wrote that though the courts are physically closed, court operations shall continue and the offices may be contacted through their respective hotline numbers and judiciary emails. He said the courts may also conduct video conference hearings and accept pleadings through electronic filing. The executive judge said both the court employees will still undergo confirmatory swab testing, and the courts where the two were assigned were also advised to conduct contact tracing. He said the move is necessary as a safety measure for all judges and court personnel. The RTC executive judge also urged everyone in the court to strictly observe the quarantine period for their safety.