7 BPO workers in Ilocos Norte test positive for COVID-19

The borders of Ilocos Norte were recently closed to locally stranded individuals to decongest the quarantine facilities in the province where COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the most recent of which were seven employees of a business processing and outsourcing company. Photo from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte Media Office

DAGUPAN CITY –– The Ilocos Norte government has recommended placing a business processing and outsourcing (BPO) company in the province under a “lock-in” work setup after its seven customer service representatives tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The recommendation, made in coordination with the municipal government of San Nicolas, where the BPO is located, was meant to contain the virus outbreak while the company’s operation continues.

All of the patients were isolated for proper treatment and monitoring.

Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc said they initially planned to place the building’s fourth floor on lockdown as it was where the first virus-infected patients work.

“But with the additional cases, our doctors thought that it is necessary to lock-in the employees,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

The BPO employees will undergo a 10-day strict quarantine inside the building while they continue their operation.

To protect the safety of the surrounding communities, the local health team of San Nicolas will regularly monitor the employees, ensuring that they remain inside the building.

LZB