The country’s military and police academies have been temporarily shut down from visitors amid the threat of infection of the 2019-novel Corona Virus.
While the two academic institutions are not totally barring outsiders, the visitors that include parents of the cadets and military and police personnel on official business are required to be subjected to screening process before they would be allowed entry.
In the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), parents and immediate family members of the cadets will have to seek permission first from the academy’s leadership and will only be allowed entry under the supervision of school health practitioners.
“The Philippine Military Academy, in coordination with the Baguio local government and health authorities, is temporarily closed to visitors until further notice,” said Capt. Cherryl Tindog, PMA spokesperson.
“This is a proactive measure to safeguard the health and safety of our cadets and the general public from the novel coronavirus,” she added.
The PMA is one of the main sources of officers for the Philippine Army, Air Force and Navy.
In the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), visitation for cadets were also suspended “until further notice”, according to its superintendent, Maj. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo.
“All personnel entering the camp are required to wear face masks,” said Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman.
“They are also subjected to temperature check at the gate before allowed entry,” he added.
The PNPA is the country’s academic institution for future police, jail and fire officials. (Aaron Recuenco)