INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said on Thursday, March 26, that he went into home quarantine upon learning that Representative Eric Go Yap had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Año said he started his home quarantine on Wednesday, March 25, at least four days after his meeting with Yap at the Malacanang on Saturday.

He has, however, that he had no physical contact with Yap and he was not experiencing any symptoms of the disease.

"Wala akong physical sa kanya saka nakamask naman ako all throughout," Año said.

"Mas maganda mag-self-quarantine at mag-work from home," he added.

He assured that DILG and Philippine National Police (PNP) operations would not be paralyzed.

"I have access to my people, I have access to the emergency operations centers ng [of] DILG," Año said.

He said they would be taking advantage of technology to conduct meetings together with other officials if necessary.

Yap announced Wednesday that he had tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Two senators earlier announced that they also have the novel coronavirus, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, who has been widely criticized for shopping and bringing his pregnant wife to the hospital in violation of quarantine protocols.

An unnamed congressman has also been reportedly found positive for the new coronavirus, a highly infectious pathogen that causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). (SunStar Philippines)