The government official strongly advocating the reopening of businesses has been tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) for the second time.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez disclosed Thursday that he tested positive anew for Covid-19.

“I regret to inform you I tested positive again. (I) got (the) result just this morning. (I) am asymptomatic,” Lopez told trade reporters in a Viber message on Thursday.

Lopez said he immediately started isolation and will undergo another Covid-19 test later on Thursday.

“Hoping (it is) false positive,” said Lopez.

He is supposed to leave for Tacloban City on Thursday to join President Rodrigo Duterte in distributing DTI livelihood kits to former rebels.

This is the second time that the trade chief contracted the coronavirus.

The first was in early December last year and then tested negative before Christmas.

“(I’ve) been wearing mask, shield, and (observed physical) distancing outside home but still got hit,” Lopez said.