MANILA -- The Executive Judge of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court has placed the entire QC Hall of Justice on lockdown after an unconfirmed report of death of a suspected COVID-19 case who held office in the building.

"[U]pon the authority given by the Hon. Jose Midas P. Marquez, Court Administrator, the Hall of Justice (Main and Annex), Quezon City will be on LOCKDOWN beginning May 18, 2020 until further notice," Executive Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert said in an official statement dated Sunday.

"Accordingly, entrance of any person at the Hall of Justice, Quezon City shall be disallowed during the said period," she added.

Burgos-Villavert said the move was done to give time to verify the report and if true, to conduct contact tracing and disinfect the building.

She clarified that the suspected case was not an employee of either the regional trial court (RTC) nor the metropolitan trial court (MeTC) which are both housed in the complex but is supposedly an employee of another agency holding office at the Hall of Justice. She did not mention which agency.

The employee allegedly died to severe pneumonia and went to the QC Hall of Justice building "a few days before dying."

Burgos-Villavert said that those who wish to file civil and criminal cases and apply for bail should file their cases and applications electronically through email. The same rule applies to filing of pleadings and other court submissions. The courts may still be reached through their hotline.

In subsequent issuances on Thursday and Friday, the Supreme Court announced that courts in areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ) will be physically open starting Monday, May 18, while those under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) will continue to be closed.

• Courts to open physically in general quarantine areas starting Monday

Quezon City is part of the National Capital Region which is still under MECQ along with Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales and Angeles City. Cebu City and Mandaue City continue to be under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Other areas previously placed on ECQ are now on GCQ.

The Supreme Court also extended the deadline for any filings or submissions due during the MECQ/GCQ period to 30 calendar days after May 31, the target end date of the new quarantine protocols.