Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 28) — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday discouraged the Tourism Department from pushing through with the scheduled nationwide mall sale starting March 1.

Duque, who seemed clueless about the month-long event, asked reporters for details.

"We don't encourage it... If it can be helped, we discourage people from going to places where there is quite a volume of people just to make sure that no increased risks is going to confront our people," he said in a media briefing.

The health chief said that if tourism officials decide to push through with it, disinfection measures should be in place in all malls. He said putting disinfectants and using thermal guns will reduce the risk of the spread of coronavirus.

The Philippines is set to hold its first month-long nationwide shopping mall sale from March 1 to 31 to attract local and foreign tourists. This is seen to bring in revenue for businesses and help lift tourism from the slump caused by the imposed travel ban and aviation fears.

The Department of Tourism is mounting different activities to promote local tourism. It is also working with the office of President Rodrigo Duterte to bring him to the country's major islands to encourage Filipinos to travel around the country.

In February alone, the country is expecting to lose P14.8 billion in tourism or a total of P42.9 billion in revenue if the travel ban on China, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea's North Gyeongsang Province lasts for three months.