MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday appealed to malls and movie houses not to allow students from entering their establishments as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the suggestion after President Rodrigo Duterte suspended classes in Metro Manila until Saturday, March 14.

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“What the malls and the movie houses should do is not to allow those students (from entering). They should also cooperate,” Panelo said in a press briefing.

“I’m appealing to them kasi kailangan natin magtulungan eh (because all of us should help each other), all of us should do something. We should be creative. If I were they, they should not allow or discourage them from entering the malls or movie houses, para sa kapakanan nila yun eh (for their own sake),” he added.

Barangay officials and police officers making their rounds in the neighborhoods will also call the attention of students who will be seen loitering around despite the suspension of classes, Panelo said.

“Papauwiin, sasabihin umuwi na kayo (They will be asked to go home),” Panelo said when asked what the authorities will do if they see students outside their homes.

Panelo said the students’ parents will also be notified should students refuse to go home.

“We are in a state of national emergency, in other words there is a crisis so bakit tayo gumagawa nun? For public safety, public interest, general welfare. That would be your basis,” he explained.

Panelo stressed that the purpose of the class suspension is for students to stay indoors and prevent the spread of the virus.

“Basta yung mga crowded areas wag na muna. I-discourage ang students, the very purpose of suspension nga is for you to stay indoors,” Panelo said.

(Prevent from going to crowded areas. Discourage the students since the very purpose of the suspension is for you to stay indoors.)

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President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a public health emergency over the threat of COVID-19.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country climbed to 24, as of Monday night.

Edited by MUF

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.

What you need to know about Coronavirus.

For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

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