MANILA, Philippines — GMA News TV is temporarily going off-air as the network scales down its operations while Luzon is under an enhanced community quarantine to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“Due to the current state of calamity, GMA News TV is temporarily signing off. Please stay tuned to GMA for all news updates,” read GMA’s news channel in a statement aired Wednesday night over primetime newscast “24 Oras.”

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Broadcast journalist Raffy Tima shared on Twitter photos of himself on the set of GMA News TV’s State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

Tima said there would be no “Balitanghali” and “State of the Nation with Jessica Soho” starting Thursday.

“Last newscast airing for GMA News TV with @tinapperez as GMA News TV will temporarily go off the air, no Balitanghali and State of the Nation With Jessica Soho starting tomorrow until further notice as GMA scales down its operation for the duration of the lockdown,” TIma said.

Last newscast airing for GMA News TV with @tinapperez as GMA News TV will temporarily go off air, no Balitanghali and State of the Nation With Jessica Soho starting tomorrow until further notice as GMA scales down its operation for the duration of the lockdown. pic.twitter.com/6VHMK4CB1b — Raffy Tima (@raffytima) March 18, 2020

GMA’s other newscasts “Unang Hirit,” “24 Oras” and “Saksi” would still continue to air, Tima noted.

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“Mapapanood niyo pa rin po kami sa GMA sa Unang Hirit, 24 Oras at Saksi. Mabuhay po ang magigiting na mamamahayag na nasa harap at lalo na ang mga nasa likod ng camera. Mabuhay po tayong lahat,” he said.

The entire of Luzon was placed under an enhanced community quarantine which is in effect until April 13, 2020.

This means “strict home quarantine shall be implemented in all households; transportation shall be suspended; provision for food and essential services shall be regulated, and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures will be implemented.”

Health officials have so far recorded 202 cases of COVID-19 in the country, of which 17 have died.

Edited by MUF

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