House to implement strict health protocols, screening on Sona

DESPITE the limited number of attendees, the House of Representatives on Wednesday assured that strict health protocols and security guidelines will be implemented during President Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, July 27, 2020, at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City.

During a media briefing, House Deputy Secretary-general Ramon Ricardo Roque said mandatory swab tests for Covid-19 will be conducted a day before the Sona and rapid tests will be implemented on Sona day itself.

He said all lawmakers, staff, guests and other attendees who will enter the session hall during the opening of the second regular session in the morning and Sona in the afternoon of July 27 shall undergo the Covid-19 testing.

“Senators, House members, guests, technical staff who shall be physically present at the opening in the morning and the Sona in the afternoon shall undergo mandatory RT-PCR, or swab tests...on July 26, Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” Roque said.

“Mandatory rapid tests will be on July 27, 6 a.m. to 12 noon for House members and staff. For the Senate, they will have their own collection venue, as well as for Malacañang,” he added.

Roque said anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, whether through swab or rapid test, will not be allowed to enter the plenary hall.

He said persons with temperature reading of 37.5°C, or higher, shall be denied entry and redirected to quarantine tents attended by the House’s medical personnel.

Besides testing, Roque said health screening, sanitation and disinfection, and limiting of personnel and guests will be strictly implemented on Monday.

He added face masks shall be worn at all times, with an added requirement of face shields for those entering the session hall.

“Physical distancing of 2 meters shall be strictly followed. Floor markings of at least 6 feet apart will be placed at all entrances, elevators, and places with foot traffic,” he said.

Roque said checking of body temperature, disinfection, and submission of health declaration forms will be conducted at all building entrances.

For his part, House Secretarygeneral Luis Montales said preparations and coordination for Sona 2020 are under way.

“We are working closely with Malacañang, the Senate and other offices and sometimes we have to wait for the decisions of these offices,” he said.

Like two previous Sonas, the fifth Sona will be directed by Director Joyce Bernal.

Moreover, Montales said, the number of lawmakers from the lower chamber that would attend the opening of session would not exceed 25, while the same number of lawmakers will be attending the Sona in the afternoon.

In total, Montales said they are expecting 127 people inside the plenary during the Sona.

The opening of the session and the Sona will be available via Zoom for other members of the House. Lockdown

MEANWHILE, House sergeantat-arms Ramon Apolinario said the Batasang Pambansa complex will be put on a lockdown starting Friday.

“[This will be implemented] as part of security protocols to enable all security forces and other utility personnel to disinfect, clean, and clear all areas, especially the session hall,” he said.

Apolinario also said the Quezon City Police District and fire marshals shall be in charge of security outside the Batasan complex.

Earlier, the lower chamber said no members of the media will be allowed inside the Batasan Complex to physically cover the annual Sona.

But Presidential Broadcast Staff-radio Television Malacañang (PBS-RTVM), which will be inside to cover the Sona, will live feed the event through People’s Television Network (PTV), Presidential Communications Operations Office and RTVM Facebook pages and RTVM Youtube channel.

Montales said the media will also not be allowed to physically cover the opening of the second regular session.

The RTVM assured public that President Duterte’s Sona will be aired live and without edits.