The Presidential Security Group (PSG) has recommended to Malacañang’s Internal House Affairs Office (IHAO) the suspension of Palace tours to secure Malacañang from the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (nCoV ARD).
PSG commander BGen Jose Eriel Niembra made the statement after the Department of Health (DoH) confirmed the country’s first case of the nCoV ARD.
In a text message, Niembra said the recommendation was a preventive measure to prevent the spread of the disease in the country’s center of power.
“While crafting protocols for visitors in the Palace, PSG has recommended to IHAO the indefinite suspension of museum and Palace tour,” he said.
“This is a preemptive measure to ensure that the seat of government is secured from this biological threat,” he added.
Niembra earlier required all PSG personnel inside the Malacañang compound to wear face masks to protect themselves from the virus.
“In view of the current threat brought by 2019-nCoV, all PSG personnel on duty at Malacañang Complex are hereby required to wear [a] face mask as [a] precautionary measure against the spread of [the] said virus,” he said.
“Effective immediately. Masks are provided by the unit,” he added. (Argyll Geducos)
