2 LTO offices closed as employees test positive for COVID-19

LTO Central Office and QC licensing offices shut down after 12 employees test positive

Operations at the Land Transportation Office in East Avenue (LTO Central Office), including the Quezon City Licensing Office were shut down earlier today after several of its employees tested positive for COVID-19.

“The LTO decided to suspend transactions at its Central Office and at its the Quezon City Licensing Office this afternoon until Friday in order to disinfect the premises and make sure that the possible transmission of the coronavirus is contained,” said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) through its official social media page.

The LTO conducted a rapid test for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 on 100 employees. Of those tested, 12 were found to be positive of the coronavirus. These employees have undergone RT-PCR and are now awaiting results. Further, all employees at the LTO Central Office and at its Quezon City Licensing Office were ordered to undergo testing for the coronavirus tomorrow.

All work at the LTO’s Central Office and at its Quezon City Licensing Office has also been suspended on Thursday and Friday. Operations in these offices will resume on Monday, 22 June 2020.

Individuals planning to renew their license or get their student permit at these offices may instead apply online, or from LTO NCR pilot sites in Eastwood Mall and Ever Gotesco along Commonwealth Avenue.

“The health and safety of our employees, as well as those of the public whom we are serving is important. We have suspended operations in order to make sure that the threat of spreading the coronavirus at our offices is contained. We are now conducting disinfection as well as further testing on all of our employees,” said LTO Assistant Secretary, Edgar Galvante.

This is the second time the LTO has been forced to suspend operations in one of its offices. Earlier this month, 5 LTO branches were temporarily closed after 7 employees returned positive results in rapid testing.