PNP: No order to place Metro Manila under lockdown over COVID-19
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday belied reports on social media that it has been ordered to enforce a lockdown on Metro Manila over the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat.
PNP Director for Police Community Relations Maj. Gen. Benigno Durana Jr. clarified that only the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) can issue a lockdown order in cases of public health emergencies.
“Contrary to some reports circulating in the social media, please be advised that the PNP has not issued any order for a lockdown in the NCR,” Durana told reporters in a text message.
He, however, assured that the PNP is continuously preparing for any contingency.
On Thursday morning, the Inter-agency Task Force for the management of infectious disease earlier convened to discuss measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
President Rodrigo Duterte is set to address the public on Thursday night to announce the measures to be implemented by the government amid the new coronavirus threat.
Article continues after this advertisementTo date, there are 49 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, with two deaths.
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Several government offices were closed down to make way for disinfection against the virus, while some public officials opted to undergo self-quarantine due to possible exposure with confirmed COVID-19 cases.
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Classes in all levels in Metro Manila have also been 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 confirmng the country’s first local transmission of the disease, while President Rodrigo Duterte earlier declared a state of public health emergency.
READ: Duterte declares state of public health emergency over coronavirus
The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses has identified the new coronavirus 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.
Edited by MUF
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For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
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