BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
The Commission on Elections Bacolod office will be closed until April 12 for disinfection after seven members of its staff and a utility worker tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019.
Bacolod Comelec registrar Kathrina Trinio said that those infected are now in isolation while those who are Covid-free will report for duty on April 13.
Trinio said she and 18 other personnel underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing through the Emergency Operations Center and only 10 of them, including herself, have been cleared.
Although they tested negative, Trinio said they will still need to continue self-isolation until Monday next week.
Those applying as new voters and for transfer of voter’s registration are encouraged to set an appointment online through www.comelec.gov.ph. They can also download the application form from the website, print it out, and fill it up before going to the Comelec office.
“That way, the application process will be easier while the period of the applicant’s stay at the Comelec office will be reduced,” Trinio said.
She urged applicants to complete the requirements to avoid any hassle and crowding.
Trinio also encouraged applicants to avoid bringing companions. Comelec Bacolod will also limit the number of applicants to 80 a day from the previous 130 due to staff limitation and to properly observe social distancing.*
