Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and his Chief of Staff Cesar Chavez have tested negative for the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

This, after Domagoso and Chavez went on an official business trip to the United Kingdom, the Manila Public Information Office (PIO) said in a Facebook post.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade likewise tested negative for the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Goddes Libiran said on Sunday.

Libiran, however, said,  in compliance to protocols set by the Department of Health, Tugade will still “take precautionary measures seriously while working for the benefit of the country.”

“Matibay ang Pilipino. Tuloy ang trabaho. COVID-19 may be strong, but it will never be strong enough to bring this country, and the hearts of the Filipinos down. GOD IS GOOD,” Tugade said.

Tugado observed self-quarantine after he was exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19.

The DOTr secretary said the COVID-19-positive person was at the inspection of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) Harbor Link C3-R10 section led by President Rodrigo Duterte last March 5.

Earlier, Duterte also underwent testing for COVID-19 even if he has not shown any signs of the deadly illness.

Duterte tested negative for COVID-19, said Senator Bong Go last Friday.

Go himself also tested negative for COVID-19.

Other government officials went into self-quarantine after exposure to the COVID-19 patient including Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Vince Dizon, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno.

As of Saturday evening, 111 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the country, the DOH said./Stacy Ang