The municipal hall of Janiuay in Iloilo province is on a two-day lockdown starting Monday. A male engineer assigned at the Municipal Engineer’s Office tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19.

Mayor Bienvenido Margarico said he immediately suspended all work at the offices of Engineering, Bids and Awards, Sangguniang Bayan, Accounting Treasurers, and Mayor’s Office.

Meanwhile, the Rural Health Unit, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Department of Agriculture and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office would remain open.

These offices are outside the municipal hall, the mayor explained.

According to Margarico, the 59-year-old engineer was asymptomatic. His test result was released on Sunday. It was still unclear how he contracted the disease.

Local health authorities were able to tract at least 20 municipal government personnel who may have been exposed to the engineer.

These employees were advised to undergo strict home quarantine. They had their specimens collected for swabbing yesterday.

Janiuay had a total 61 COVID-19 cases – 16 of which are active, 43 recovered and two died./WDJ