Coronavirus scare causes Manila parks, museums to temporarily close

MANILA, Philippines — Some parks and museums have announced that they will temporarily close as a precautionary measure to help contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Luneta and Paco Park in Manila will be closed starting Friday, March 13, until further notice.

All previously scheduled activities in the area are postponed as well.

Fort Santiago, Museo de Instramuros, Baluarte San Diego and Casa Manila Museum will also be closed starting Friday, the Instramuros Administration said.

Also closed are the National Musuem and its network, in Manila and nationwide.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines too announced that its 27 musuems nationwide are also temporarily closed.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the country soared to 52, along with five mortalities.

Because of the rising number of cases, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered to place Metro Manila under “community quarantine.”

The COVID-19 was caused by a novel coronavirus that first broke out in Wuhan City of China.

The novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 was later named SARS-CoV-2 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.

The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people. It may also lead to severe illnesses such as pneumonia to others, especially to older adults and to people who have pre-existing health problems.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses, which surfaces have a crown-like appearance. Such viruses are named for their spikes on their surfaces.

EDV