The Zamboanga Peninsula regional office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was placed on a two-week lockdown after “some” of its staffers tested positive for the coronavirus.

DILG Zamboanga Peninsula made the announcement through a Facebook post on Wednesday, September 9, saying that its staffers showed COVID-19 symptoms weeks earlier.

“We have already commenced a 14-day lockdown in our regional office and have started disinfection efforts in our premises to avoid further escalation of the situation,” the office said.

It added that the infected employees are isolated and undergoing quarantine at home or at local health units.

The office did not disclose how many of its personnel contracted the virus or how they got infected.

DILG regional officers have been tasked to keep local officials updated on constantly changing national government policies to combat the virus.

Because of this, the DILG office sought the help of the local government units they constantly interacted with to assist in tracing contacts of their infected personnel.

The lockdown does not mean that their operations have stopped. The regional office will continue to function through provincial offices.

“We would like to ask the public to stay vigilant as we are facing an unseen enemy and to steadfastly adhere to all safety and health protocols and avoid unnecessary social activities,” the office added. – Rappler.com