Only COVID-19 negative individuals allowed near Duterte – PSG

MANILA, Philippines — The President Security Group (PSG) on Monday said it would only allow those who tested negative for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to go near President Rodrigo Duterte during private meetings.

Those who have not yet been tested for COVID-19 must maintain a two-meter distance from the President, PSG said.

“For private functions or meetings, only those who were tested and found negative from COVID-19 will be allowed to be near PRRD, while those not tested shall maintain at least 6-feet or 2-meter distance from him,” PSG said in a statement.

This was among the preventive measures PSG will implement upon the creation of a Task Force COVID-19.

The task force “plans, implements, and meticulously assesses preventive measures against infection among PSG personnel and dependents, Malacañang employees, other concerned parties, and ultimately, PRRD and the first family,” PSG said.

PSG also reiterated its strict implementation of the no-touch policy to the President. There should be at least a 10-meter distance between Duterte and the audience in large events, PSG noted.

PSG said it would also organize medical teams and establish quarantine sites within Malacañang complex.

“All those going in and out Malacañang Complex are required to accomplish a declaration form,” the PSG said.

The Philippines has so far recorded 140 COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths.

The country is currently under a state of public health emergency due to the virus, which originated from Hubei province in China.

The Philippine government has also upgraded its alert on COVID-19 from Code Red Sublevel 1 to Sublevel 2, which is hoisted when there is evidence of community transmission and prevalence of cases beyond what the government can address.

GSG