MANILA, Philippines — This year’s national food fair, which is hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), will be postponed due to the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat in the country.
The event, also known as the Philippine Cuisine and Ingredients Show, and which will showcase delicacies from various regions, was originally scheduled to run from March 12 (Thursday) to March 15 (Sunday).
The DTI decided to postpone the event following the declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte of a state of health emergency due to the COVID-19 threat.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 33 by Tuesday, the Department of Health (DOH) announced. The department has also raised Code Red Sublevel 1 over the weekend after it confirmed the country’s first local transmission of the disease.
The confirmed cases prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to sign a proclamation declaring a state of public health emergency.