President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday taped a message urging Filipinos to be calm and take extra precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus 2019.
Duterte emphasized that the three cases recorded in the Philippines so far were all foreigners.
“There is no evidence yet of local community transmission here in our country,” he said in the video message, released by Malacañang on Thursday.
Full video:
Full text:
To my fellow Filipinos,
Today, we face a very threat, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19. As of now there are only three confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection. None of those infected is a Filipino national. There is no evidence yet of local community transmission here in our country.
The government, together with the World Health Organization, medical societies and partners in private sectors is addressing the challenge and preparing for any eventuality.
Last Sunday, we repatriated several of our countrymen from the affected areas in China. The government is taking care of them while they are in quarantine.
To our kababayans who remain in lockdown areas in China, I assure you that the government is ready to bring you home if you want. Hindi naman kayo papabayaan.
To my fellow Filipinos, I understand many of you are worried about the world health and the well being of our loved ones. It is normal to feel anxious, concerned and even afraid.
Maging malinis. Hugasan yung kamay frequently, yung paulit ulit. Kung every handshake mo, kung humatsing ka, takpan mo bunganga mo at tingnan mo hindi ka makahawa sa ibang tao. Kung ikaw naman ay may ubo, mag mask ka na lang.
Maging maingat at yung mga impormasyon na importante na manggaling sa WHO, ay ating pakinggan. At huwag makinig diyan sa mga haka-haka. Sa gobyerno kayo nakatutok. Nandiyan ang totoo sa gobyerno, wala diyan sa mga taong haka-haka na wala namang ginawa kung hindi manakot para kapwa niya tao.
I call on our people to remain calm, vigilant, responsible and I also ask your trust and cooperation, support as we face the challenge. Tayo ay magkaisa together as one nation, this challenge can be overcome.
Maraming salamat po.
READ: 2019 novel coronavirus: A timeline
(PressONE.ph)