Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces- Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal, were placed under an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from 28 March to 11 April 2021. This was due to the sudden spike of confirmed cases in these areas. On 12 April, the ECQ transitioned to a Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), effective until 30 April 2021. DOST-PHIVOLCS in Quezon City maintained a skeletal workforce to perform the agency’s monitoring operations, and administrative support services. The rest of the employees on a Work-From-Home (WFH) arrangement continued to provide online frontline services.

Following the DOST-PHIVOLCS COVID-19 Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan, cleaning and disinfection of common places and frequently-touched surfaces are conducted regularly each day. In addition, the Finance and Administration Division (FAD) facilitated disinfection of the whole building on 03 April 2021, which included the following: Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) monitoring to measure cleanliness; misting of disinfectants; surface wiping; Ultraviolet-C (UVC) lamps for extra disinfection, and air purification.

For health monitoring and easier contact tracing, FAD urges all staff to truthfully accomplish the Health Check Declaration Form daily.