SUMMARY: Pres. Duterte's SONA amid COVID-19 threat

Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte had an urgent announcement on how the government fight the COVID-19 pandemic with the help of the Filipinos.

Here are salient points of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Address to the Nation (12 March 2020)

-Covid-19 alert raised to Code Red Sub-level 2.

-Obey health authorities. Don't downplay Covid-19.

-Follow social distancing measures.

-Police, military to help avert Covid-19 crisis.

-Work in the executive branch shall be suspended within the period but skeletal force shall be maintained in offices.

-Flexi-work arrangements shall be encouraged in the private sector.

-Community quarantine is imposed in Metro Manila.

-In other areas, local government units can impose localized quarantine.

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- Provincial quarantine if there are more than 2 persons with Covid-19.

-Municipal, city, barangay-wide quarantine is advised when there are more than 2 persons with Covid-19.

-Domestic land, air and sea travel to and from Metro Manila shall be suspended from midnight on March 15 - April 14, 2020.

-Suspension of classes in Metro Manila extended until April 12.

-LRT, MRT and PNR to remain in operation but maintain social distancing.

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-PNP can help in implementation of measures vs. Covid-19. This is not martial law.

-Mass gatherings are prohibited during the period.

-The LGUs outside the National Capital Region are advised to exercise sound discretion in suspending classes in their respective jurisdictions.

-Duterte says, “Konting pasensiya lang. It’s for your own good. Let’s help each other.”