THE House of Representatives set down health protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) at the resumption of its session on Monday, May 4.

The session was attended by 25 lawmakers who were physically present at the hall and 276 members who joined via video conferencing.

A quorum was declared with a total of 301 lawmakers present.

Under the House’s general guidelines, a two-meter physical distance must be maintained between two persons.

The guidelines also prohibit non-essential activities and mass gatherings that will be participated by 50 people or more.

People who wish to enter the House shall undergo appropriate health screening, sanitation, and disinfection protocols.

Only guests with confirmed appointments are allowed to enter the premises and buildings of the House.

People with temperature reading of 37.5 degree Celsius or higher will be denied entry.

Flexible work arrangements and schedules shall be adopted depending on the functions, circumstances, and deliverables of each department.

At the plenary session, only 25 members are allowed to physically attend. The total number of secretariat employees, media personnel, and guests are also limited to 25.

All committee hearings and press conferences shall still be conducted through video conferencing, unless the secretary general allows physical meetings.

“In these extraordinary times, people look to Congress not just so that they can be represented, but that we may provide answers and or provide solutions. We are called upon to adapt, innovate, and manage," House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said in his opening speech.

“We call on the whole government to work together, not against each other--we have to agree that red tape, inefficiency, and corruption has no place in serving our people, whether or not there is a crisis,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)