The Supreme Court has ordered the suspension of court hearings in the first, second and collegiate courts from March 13 to 18 as a preventive measure against COVID-19.
The Court issued the order after Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta released a circular to guide the lower courts on how to prevent the spread of the virus.
During this period, justices and judges are directed to reset hearings and inform parties of the new schedule; disinfect court premises; write orders and decisions, and act on other matters pending before their respective courts.
Justices and judges are expected to continue to report to the Office of the Court Administrator any development or circumstance regarding the spread of COVID-19.
Use masks on public transport
The chairman of the House transportation committee, Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, said the government should mandate the use of face masks or any other article that can be used to cover one’s nose and mouth before people are allowed to ride on all forms of public transport. At the same time, Sarmiento said that the government should continue to ensure that public transportation remains available to serve the people. Sarmiento also called on the country’s public transport operators, including the management of the Philippine National Railways, the Light Rail Transit system, to regularly disinfect their vehicles and coaches to reduce the chance of transmission.
Cebu Pacific booking policies
Cebu Pacific said its flights continue to operate as scheduled but said it was changing its booking policies due to rebooking and cancellation requests from passengers due to concerns over COVID-19. The airline said passengers traveling to Philippine and international destinations from March 10 to April 30, 2020 who would like to rebook or cancel their flights can avail of free rebooking; place the full cost of the ticket in a Travel Fund that can be used as payment for a future booking, or avail of the CEB Flexi plan that enables travelers to rebook their flights up to two times for free.
Children are affected, too
The Save the Children Philippines group called on parents, caregivers and community leaders to take urgent precautions to prevent exposure of children to COVID-19, saying they can still be affected by the virus. “Children are being separated when their parents and caregivers are being quarantined or when confined in hospitals,” said Alberto Muyot, chief executive of the group. More than 22 million children and adolescents have been missing out on school since Monday after major cities suspended classes to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. “Schools should limit the impact of disruption to education through open, distance and online learning,” Muyot said.
Baguio suspends classes
The Baguio city government on Thursday ordered the suspension of classes in all levels for both public and private schools here from March 13 to 22 to allow school authorities to sanitize and disinfect classrooms and facilities. Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the measure was in line with the state of public health emergency proclamation of President Rodrigo Duterte, ordering all local government units to help address and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
La Trinidad freezes public events
La Trinidad, Benguet Mayor Romeo Salda has suspended all crowd-drawing events and tourism-related activities in the town, including concerts, pageants, fun runs, and barangay and co-op assemblies. Private-sector-led activities must get a special permit from the mayor’s office.
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