Amid the fight against the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), President Rodrigo Duterte has declared the fourth week of March as the National Week of Prayer.
Under Proclamation No. 934, the President encourages the Filipinos, regardless of religion or beliefs, to unite in prayer against COVID-19.
The Chief Executive urges the public to also pray for the fast recovery of COVID-19 patients as well as the families who lost their loved ones due to the virus.
The President also calls on the public to pray for the frontliners who are sacrificing for the sake of others.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) is continuously refining the guidelines for the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
Cabinet Secretary and IATF spokesperson Karlo Nograles, in a public address, has highlighted the important points of the IATF Resolution no. 14 from the additional reminders to the directives for the Local Government Units (LGUs).
“All LGUs must first coordinate with the Department of Health prior to acquiring, purchasing or utilizing testing kits within their respective territorial jurisdictions.” Cabinet Sec. Nograles said.
Along with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Brigido Dulay, they have stated new guidelines for inbound travelers.
“Simula po sa araw na ito, iyon pong mga turista at mga dayuhan na nasa labas pa po ng bansa ay hindi na po maaaring makapasok sapagkat sila po ay hindi na po bibigyan ng visa. Para naman po sa mga dayuhan na nasa labas pa rin ng bansa at may hinahawakan na pong visa, hindi pa rin po sila papayagang makapasok sa ating bansa hanggang hindi po natatapos ang enhanced community quarantine.”
(Starting today, tourists and foreigners outside the country will no longer be granted visas while the tourists and foreigners with existing visas will also be denied entry until the end of the enhanced community quarantine.)
The government asks the public for continuous cooperation and understanding in eliminating the virus.
Report from Mela Lesmoras
