MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is suspending work in all of its offices on Friday, March 13, amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.
“This is a precautionary measure against the further spread of the virus as confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to rise,” the agency said in a statement on Thursday.
“Official government transactions related to the agency may be accomplished on Monday, 16 March 2020,” it added.
The LTFRB also urged its personnel and stakeholders — operators, drivers, and commuters, to continue taking care of their personal hygiene, including regular and proper handwashing, to boost their immune systems.
To date, the Philippines has recorded a total of 49 confirmed cases, including one case in the Visayas and another case in Mindanao.
READ: Coronavirus cases in PH soar to 49; 16 new patients recorded
READ: First coronavirus cases recorded in Mindanao, Visayas — DOH
So far, two persons — a Chinese national and one Filipino — infected with COVID-19 have died.
READ: DOH reports first Filipino to die in PH from coronavirus
READ: Coronavirus: What we know about first death outside China
Several government offices have also closed down for disinfection while some public officials have opted to go under self-quarantine.
READ: DOF, BSP, GSIS, ADB locked down to disinfect vs COVID-19
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READ: Nancy Binay, too, to go into self-quarantine
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Classes in all levels in Metro Manila were also suspended starting March 10 until March 14.
READ: DOH says number of coronavirus case now 33
The Department of Health (DOH) earlier raised Code Red Sublevel 1 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 in the country.
READ: Duterte declares state of public health emergency over coronavirus
The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses has identified the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19 as SARS-CoV-2.
The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but can cause serious illness such as pneumonia for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.
Coronavirus is a family of viruses, which surfaces have a crown-like appearance. The viruses are named for the spikes on their surfaces.