MANILA--Travel restrictions to and from Davao City, hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte, were imposed Thursday by the office of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to combat a possible outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the area.
In the guidelines issued by Duterte-Carpio's office, all Davao residents are prohibited from going outside the city, except for short-term visitors who are advised to leave the area immediately.
It also requested travelers to postpone their visit there until the state of public health emergency over the Philippines is lifted.
The guidelines clarified, however, Davao is not being locked down.
Duterte-Carpio, who has said she would quarantine herself, attended a hearing at the Senate hours before it was placed on lockdown last Wednesday after one of the chamber’s guests tested positive for COVID-19.
The Davao City Mayor also had a lunch meeting with Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who was in contact with the infected guest. The senator, along with several of his colleagues, also has gone under isolation.
The Philippines, as of Thursday, has 52 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 2 of whom passed away.
Due to the rapid rise of the disease since last week, the Philippines was placed under a state of public health emergency by President Duterte. He also suspended classes in all levels in Metro Manila from March 10 to March 14 to avoid infections in schools.
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