No more new hotel bookings allowed during Luzon quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — Hotels and other similar establishments will no longer be allowed to accept new booking accommodations during the enhanced community quarantine of the entire island of Luzon due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the whole of Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine until April 12 to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, which has infected 187 in the country and killed 14.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said no hotels or similar establishment will be allowed to operate during the quarantine period, except those accommodating the following:

* guests who have existing booking accommodation for foreigners as of March 17

* guests who have existing long-term leases

* employees from exempted establishments under the provisions of March 16, 2020, memorandum from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and its subsequent modifications and clarifications.

Duterte’s order stopped all public transportation and strictly enforced home quarantine protocols.

Exempted from the work stoppage, however, are all businesses, services, and activities related to the production or provision of food, medicine and health, banking and finance, public utilities and mass media.

The President also allows BPO establishments and export-oriented industries to continue operations provided that they would observe “strict social distancing measures.”

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Palace cites Japanese people for perseverance on quake anniversary

Malacañang on Sunday cited the perseverance, resolve and dignity of the Japanese people in recovering from the magnitude-9 quake and tsunami that struck Japan last year.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. recalled a Japanese proverb that aptly describes the indomitable Japanese spirit: “keizoku wa chikara nari” (perseverance is strength).

“On behalf of the President, I wish Japan success as it undertakes the reconstruction and rehabilitation of affected areas. We continue to be in solidarity with Japan as it undertakes relief, reconstruction, and rebuilding,” Ochoa said in a speech at the University of the Philippines, where students marked the first year of the tragedy.

“One can only admire the dignity in which the Japanese people conducted themselves in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake, and marvel at the selflessness of Japanese citizens who were willing to sacrifice their own lives to contribute to efforts to restore control over Fukushima Daiichi, as well as efforts to contain radiation releases in areas badly hit by the earthquake,” he added.

On Sunday, Japan marked a year since a huge earthquake and tsunami killed 19,000 people and changed the lives of hundreds of thousands more.

Ochoa said the Japanese people have shown their capacity to persevere and triumph over adversity, and should serve as an inspiration to Filipinos "who, like our Japanese friends, live in areas that are particularly prone to devastation from severe weather events and geological hazards.”

Ochoa also reiterated the Philippine government’s pledge to extend any form of assistance to the Japanese people as they continue their quest to rebuild their country.

“I likewise reiterate President Aquino’s pledge of our readiness to extend assistance to Japan, a pledge made by the President during his official visit to Japan, where it is hoped that the funds he donated on behalf of our government to Ishinomaki City contributed in helping the local government reconstruct government and public facilities in that area,” he said. – KBK, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com