NDRRMC cancels nationwide earthquake drill due to coronavirus threat | Inquirer News

NDRRMC cancels nationwide earthquake drill due to coronavirus threat

/ 12:58 PM March 10, 2020

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council held the 1st Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Drill in this file photo. It simulated a 6.7 magnitude earthquake scenario. PHOTO FROM OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE

MANILA, Philippines — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has decided to cancel the scheduled nationwide earthquake drill for the first quarter as a precautionary action amid rising concern about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

The event, which was supposed to be held on Thursday, was called off “to ensure public health safety of the drill participants and to prevent the possible risk of contracting COVID-19,” NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said in a statement Tuesday.

Article continues after this advertisement

The disaster agency implements a nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill every quarter. Local government units, government offices, businesses and private groups, schools, usually participate in the activity for earthquake preparedness.

FEATURED STORIES

As of latest, there are 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier declared a state of public health emergency after health authorities cited new recorded cases of the virus.

Article continues after this advertisement

He also ordered on Monday night the suspension of classes in all levels in Metro Manila from March 10 to 14.

Death toll from the disease has surpassed 4,000 and has infected 113,000 people around the world as of Tuesday, according to a report by CNN International.

Edited by JPV
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.

TAGS: COVID-19, earthquake drill, NDRRMC, NSED

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.