THE Supreme Court extended the work suspension in all of its offices from January 5 to January 8 to complete rapid antigen detection test among personnel, and to allow contact tracing of those in physical contact with COVID-19 positives.

“Work in the SC is further suspended until January 8, 2022, to pave the way for the massive antigen testing and contact tracing. All Court personnel and employees of SC service providers who have not yet undergone the antigen testing are directed to proceed to the SC testing center on or before January 8, 2022,” the SC memorandum stated.

However, personnel of the Office of the Bar Chairperson and Office of the Bar Confidant who are involved in the 2020/2021 bar examinations, Office of the Administrative Services-SC Medical and Dental Services, and Receiving Section of the Judicial Records Office who are involved in e-filing, are still required to report on-site.

Heads of other offices/services may require a number of limited staff, who must not have any of the slightest symptoms of infection of COVID-19, to physically report on-site to attend to pending urgent matters.

For purposes of the testing and for those who will be required to report on-site, SC shuttle buses and other available utility vehicles will be dispatched to transport them to and from the office.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas