Personnel of the Presidential Security Group have been instructed to wear face masks after the Department of Health confirmed the first coronavirus case in the country.
PSG commander Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra said he has directed PSG personnel to wear face masks as a precautionary measure. “Effective immediately po. Masks are provided by the unit,” he said.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said there is no directive yet for Presidential Communications Operations Office personnel to wear face masks.
Andanar backed President Duterte’s decision to impose an indefinite travel ban on travelers from Hubei, China saying such an undertaking was necessary.
He likewise asked the public to heed the precautionary measures and safety advisories being promulgated.
“Please avoid crowded places as much as possible, use mask and gloves, and practice proper hygiene, in order to reduce any exposure to and transmission of the 2019-nCoV,” Andanar said.
Meanwhile, frontliners of the Philippine Coast Guard have been urged to protect themselves from being infected and deter any possible spread of the novel coronavirus in the country as they carry out their duties in sea ports.
Admiral Joel Garcia, Coast Guard commandant, told all port state control officers to protect themselves while they strictly implement guidelines and preventive measure against the disease.
They were told to follow guidelines and measures in consonance with the safety protocols issued by the Bureau of Quarantine that are specifically intended to protect individuals who are performing port state control functions, including vessel boarding procedures.
The Coast Guard frontliners were told to avoid close contact between port state control officers and ship’s crew and to always wear appropriate personal protective equipment such as N95 masks, latex gloves, and boots, especially if close contact with any of the ship’s crew cannot be avoided. (Argyll Geducos and Betheena Unite)
