A MYSTERIOUS respiratory disease was reported by China to the World Health Organization (WHO) on the last day of the year 2019.
In early January 2020, Chinese scientists traced the disease to a newly discovered zoonotic coronavirus, an RNA virus that they initially named as the 2019 novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV.
It was later named the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), the global body responsible for designating and naming of the virus taxa.
The disease that this new virus causes was initially given the name 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD).
It ravaged the city of Wuhan in Hubei province in central China, forcing authorities to impose a lockdown in late January. Public transport systems ground to a halt and air traffic volume between China and the rest of the world decline sharply.
Despite this, the virus found its way to hosts outside China and on January 30, 2020, the WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
On that same day, the threat posed by the novel coronavirus also became real for the Philippines.
January 30, 2020
The Department of Health (DOH) announces that a 38-year-old Chinese female tourist from Wuhan, China has been found positive for the novel coronavirus by the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory in Australia. She is dubbed Patient No. 1.
She and her male companion, also a Chinese national, arrived in the country on January 21 through the Mactan Cebu International Airport, where they transferred to another flight to Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental. They flew to Manila on January 25, sought medical help for mild cough, and were admitted at San Lazaro Hospital.
January 31, 2020
President Rodrigo Duterte announces a temporary ban on travel to and from Hubei, China. Issuance of tourist visa on arrival is also suspended for Chinese nationals.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año orders all local government units to each create a task force against the virus.
February 1, 2020
The Philippines goes down in history as having the first Covid-19 mortality outside China. The DOH announces the death of a 44-year-old Chinese man, Patient 1’s companion.
The agency also announces that the fatality was Patient No. 2.
February 2, 2020
The state-run Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) issues testing protocols for the new virus as it acquires from Japan the capability to undertake RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) tests to detect the novel coronavirus.
President Duterte expands travel ban to include mainland China and its special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau.
February 5, 2020
DOH announces Patient No. 3, a 60-year-old Chinese female who arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport from Wuhan, China via Hong Kong on January 20, 2020. From Mactan, she traveled to Bohol island via a fast ferry from Cebu City.
She was admitted to a private hospital in Bohol, but was discharged after recovering from the illness and allowed to return to China via Cebu on January 31. Her test results from Australia came back on February 3.
February 9, 2020
The first batch of repatriates, composed of 30 Filipinos, arrive from Wuhan City and are placed under the mandatory 14-day quarantine based on the incubation period for the disease.
February 10, 2020
DOH announces inclusion of Taiwan in travel ban.
February 11, 2020
The WHO, which Is responsible for naming diseases, announces a new name for the disease: coronavirus disease 2019 or Covid-19.
February 14, 2020
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) lifts the travel ban on Taiwan.
February 18, 2020
IATF allows Filipinos working and residing in Hong Kong and Macau to depart provided they sign health waivers.
February 21, 2020
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III sends a letter to Malacañang through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, recommending the declaration of a state of public health emergency once local transmission is confirmed.
February 22, 2020
Repatriates from Wuhan complete 14-day quarantine and are released from the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
February 26, 2020
The second batch of repatriates, made up of 445 Filipinos from cruise ship MV Diamond Princess in Yokohama in Japan, arrive at Clark Air Base via two chartered PAL flights.
Government bans travel to and from Daegu City and the rest of North Gyeongsang province of South Korea.
March 6, 2020
A month after announcing Patient No. 3, DOH confirms two more cases: Patient No. 4, a 48-year-old Filipino who traveled to Tokyo, Japan; and Patient No. 5, a 62-year-old Filipino who visited a Muslim prayer room in San Juan City, Metro Manila.
Patient No. 5 was the first virus-positive individual who had no history of foreign travel.
March 7, 2020
DOH confirms local transmission of the novel coronavirus as Patient No. 5 infects his 59-year-old wife (Patient No. 6).
DOH also raises alert level to Code Red to prepare the healthcare sector and local governments for possible rise in cases.
Third batch of repatriates, made up of 163 Filipinos from Macau, arrive and are brought to New Clark City for the mandatory quarantine.
March 8, 2020
President Rodrigo Duterte signs Proclamation No. 922, declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines to address the Covid-19 threat.
This facilitates access to funding, eases procurement processes, enforces mandatory reporting and quarantine, and imposes travel restrictions, as provided under Republic Act No. 11332.
March 9, 2020
DOH confirms four more cases, bringing the country’s total infections to 10.
Philippine stock market falls, with index plunging to a 52-week low over Covid-19 fears. Oil prices also fall as more countries impose travel restrictions.
President Duterte suspends classes in all levels in both public and private schools in Metro Manila and Cainta, Rizal for the period March 10 to 14, 2020.
March 10, 2020
Bureau of Corrections suspends visitation privileges in state-run prisons for one week. Jail wardens in other facilities are authorized to exercise discretion on whether to suspend visits or not.
March 11, 2020
The WHO declares Covid-19 a pandemic.
After repeatedly assuring that the Philippines is ready for a Covid-19 epidemic, Secretary Duque admits that the government has limited public health resources.
He announces a revised triage algorithm so that patients with mild symptoms of Covid-19, or those who have no difficulty breathing, may be sent home for self quarantine.
DOH reports second mortality from Covid-19, a 67-year-old Filipina (Patient 35).
March 12, 2020
President Duterte announces general community quarantine (GCQ) over Metro Manila, or the National Capital Region, effective 12:01 a.m. of March 15, 2020 until midnight of April 14, 2020.
Local government units outside Metro Manila are given the authority to impose similar restrictions based on IATF guidelines.
DOH announces three more mortalities, including couple Patient No. 5 and Patient No. 6. Death toll rises to five.
March 13, 2020
Manila Archdiocese cancels Masses for one week while Christian group asks members to suspend worship services.
Senator Christopher Go, former presidential aide, announces that he and President Duterte tested negative for the novel coronavirus.
March 14, 2020
Malacañang releases guidelines on social distancing.
House suspends session from March 16 to April 12, 2020, although employees are on call.
DILG prohibits mass gatherings such as movie screening events, concerts, sporting events, other entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non-essential work-related gatherings.
Covid-19 cases in the Philippines exceed 100. DOH reports a total of 111 cases, including eight mortalities.
March 15, 2020
Metro Manila, with a population of 12.87 million as of 2015, goes into general community quarantine.
Police set up border control checkpoints, allowing only essential personnel and cargoes to cross the borders.
Under a general community quarantine, land travel as well as domestic air and sea travel to and from Metro Manila are suspended. Mass gatherings are prohibited.
Class suspension is extended until April 12, 2020 and work in government offices is reduced to skeleton workforces, except in agencies providing health and emergency services.
Work-from-home arrangements are encouraged in the private sector. But factories engaged in producing essential goods, grocery stores and supermarkets, pharmacies and banks remain open.
DILG orders suspension of the 75-day clearing operations covering secondary roads. All local government officials are prohibited from traveling out of the country.
Curfew is imposed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.
March 16, 2020
Fourth batch of repatriates - 444 Filipinos from MV Grand Princess cruise ship in Oakland, California - are brought home and sent into 14-day quarantine at New Clark City.
Major mall operators shut down malls, except establishments providing essential goods and services.
President Duterte issues Proclamation 929, declaring enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) measures and expanding coverage to entire Luzon island, with a population of more than 52 million as of 2015, effective 12:01 a.m. of March 17, 2020.
The proclamation also places the country under a state of calamity.
Duterte also urges business sector to shut down operations and release the 13th month pay of employees, tells property owners to grant moratorium on rentals, and asks utilities to grant one-month reprieve in bill payments.
March 17, 2020
Lockdown begins in Luzon. Public transport systems grind to a halt. Only one person per household is allowed to go out for errands and supply runs. Foreigners are given 72 hours to leave.
IATF amends guidelines, allows overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and balikbayans to also leave the country within 72 hours.
PNP Chief Archie Gamboa orders the Highway Patrol Group to apprehend public utility vehicles violating the ECQ rules. Over 600 taxi and tricycle drivers are apprehended but later released.
March 18, 2020
IATF lifts 72-hour window for foreigners, OFWs and balikbayans to leave. They may leave anytime.
IATF also allows financial markets to resume operations with shortened hours and social distancing requirements.
Read: IATF eases quarantine measures, grants exemptions
Government offers free rides to transport essential workers around Metro Manila.
DILG orders LGUs to mobilize Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams and establish Barangay Isolation Units for asymptomatic virus-positive individuals.
March 20, 2020
President Duterte issues warning to local government officials, tells them to obey ECQ rules or risk charges.
March 21, 2020
DOH says it is not keen to undertake mass testing for the novel coronavirus.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III says President Duterte asked for special powers to deal with the Covid-19 epidemic in the Philippines through Proclamation No. 933.
March 22, 2020
Malacañang commends the first three Filipino doctors who succumbed to Covid-19.
March 23, 2020
House of Representatives and Senate convene at 10 a.m. separately for special sessions to tackle President Duterte’s request for emergency powers based on Proclamation No. 933.
House of Representatives approves House Bill 6616, or the proposed We Heal As One Act, at around midnight. The measure declares a state of national emergency and grants emergency powers to President Duterte.
March 24, 2020
At around 1 a.m., Senate approves Senate Bill No. 1418, or the proposed Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, which also declares a state of national emergency and grants emergency powers to President Duterte.
At past 3 a.m., the House adopts SB 1418 as amendment to HB 6616.
Read: Congress declares national emergency, grants special powers to Duterte
The President signs final bill into law.
DOH reports that Covid-19 cases have breached the 500 mark, less than three weeks after the first Filipino patients (Patients 4, 5 and 6) were confirmed.
PNP orders men to arrest curfew violators, urges LGUs to pass ordinance imposing curfew in their areas.
PNP forms Task Force Covid Kontra Peke to go after fake news peddlers on social media in a bid to prevent disinformation about Covid-19 and government’s response.
March 25, 2020
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel sparks public outrage after taking his pregnant wife to the Makati Medical Center on the same night that he was confirmed to have contracted the novel coronavirus.
March 26, 2020
Police reiterated that all quarantine control points must be supervised by uniformed policemen.
March 27, 2020
PNP drops requirement for delivery personnel to present documents other than their IDs when passing through quarantine checkpoints.
Presidential Security Guard goes into 14-day lockdown to ensure that they do not pose a threat to President Duterte.
March 28, 2020
Covid-19 cases in the Philippines exceed 1,000, death toll rises to 68.
Cebu City goes into ECQ effective 12 p.m.
March 29, 2020
PNP says curfew and other ECQ violators will still be arrested but will no longer be detained due to lack of detention facilities. PNP to use Department of Justice’s e-inquest project for the conduct of virtual inquest proceedings using any online platform for video calls and conferences and all available electronic communications.
March 30, 2020
National Economc and Development Authority (Neda) urges LGUs to implement better strategies to contain the Covid-19 epidemic in the country.
Covid-19 cases climb to 1,546.
More than 17,000 individuals arrested for ECQ violations.
Cebu province closes borders with Cebu City, goes into lockdown as well.
March 31, 2020
DOH reports 538 Covid-19 cases, the highest within a 24-hour period, causing the total to surge past 2,000.
March 31, 2020
PNP Chief Archie Gamboa directs all local police units to provide all the necessary assistance and security to medical staff and health workers following reports on attacks on and discrimination against frontliners.
PNP opens Kiangan Billeting Center (KBC) inside Camp Crame in Quezon City to accommodate police personnel who have to undergo 14-day quarantine.
April 1, 2020
More than 20 residents of Sitio San Roque in Barangay Bagong Pag-asa in Quezon City were arrested for violating the prohibition against mass gatherings when they converged and held a protest rally to demand for the promised food aid.
Quezon City denies protesters’ allegations.
PNP orders dismantling of barangay checkpoints on any major thoroughfares and highways to ensure that there would be no delays in the movement of basic commodities.
President Duterte, irked by the protest action, orders law enforcers to shoot troublemakers dead if they are threatened. At the same time, he appeals to the people to be patient because government will deliver the promised assistance.
April 2, 2020
Social media erupts with anger as NBI summons Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto over alleged violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announces that the Philippines will participate in the WHO’s Solidarity Trial, which will test the efficacy of four treatment options using existing drugs for malaria, HIV and ebola virus.
PNP clarifies unruly people will not be shot dead.
April 3, 2020
Coronavirus cases in the Philippines go beyond 3,000 as deaths rise to 136.
PNP and DILG order enforcement of the policy requiring the people to wear face masks outside their residence. Those without face masks will be apprehended and sent home.
April 4, 2020
Celebrities speak out, offer to post bail to release arrested protesters from detention.
DILG orders LGUs and PNP to assist Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in distributing SAP cash aid.
April 5, 2020
Holy Week starts, with the Catholic Church holding Masses online, as DOH reminds faithful to observe social distancing.
Medical team from China arrives to share insights on containing Covid-19 local outbreak.
DILG orders LGUs to pass local laws requiring the public to wear face masks when going out.
April 6, 2020
Lawyer Rico Quicho files complaint against Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III for violating quarantine protocols and endangering healthcare workers.
Arrested protesters from Barangay Bagong Pag-asa in Quezon City post bail with the help of some celebrities.
April 7, 2020
President Duterte extends ECQ in Luzon until April 30, 2020.
April 8, 2020
Government announces one-time P10,000 financial assistance for overseas Filipino workers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
April 9, 2020
Coronavirus cases surpass 4,000, deaths exceed 200.
President Duterte says government will take out loans and may sell off assets to finance Covid-19 response.
April 10, 2020
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas announces extraordinary measures to address the local Covid-19 epidemic.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) suspends overseas deployment of healthcare workers for the duration of the national state of emergency.
April 12, 2020
Crime rate drops by 55 percent nationwide since the implementation of quarantine protocols in mid-March.
April 13, 2020
Coronavirus death pass 300 while cases near 5,000.
POEA grants exemptions to temporary ban on overseas deployment of healthcare workers. Nurses and other health workers with perfected overseas employment contracts may leave the country.
PNP announces plan to deploy additional police and barangay forces in public markets due to prevalent violation of ECQ rules, particularly social distancing and wearing of face masks.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology says 21 detainees are in isolation in various jails while awaiting results of laboratory tests for the Sars-CoV-2 virus.
April 14, 2020
Coronavirus infections surge past 5,000 in the Philippines. Deaths increase to 335. Patients who have recovered total 295.
President Duterte says the government has released P101.5 billion for the social amelioration program.
DILG starts issuing show cause orders to LGU officials allegedly committing ECQ violations. Four barangay officials are given 72 hours to explain.
President Duterte calls for collaboration to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic during the Special Asean Summit on Covid-19.
April 15, 2020
Covid-19 survivors now exceed mortalities, but the number of cases in the Philippines continues to rise. DOH says the number of patients who have recovered has gone up to 353 while deaths increased to 349.
DOH admits the use of off-label drugs to provide supportive care to Covid-19 patients. Doctors in the Philippines have been prescribing chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, which are used to treat malaria and rheumatoid arthritis.
PNP instructs personnel to keep a “contact diary” to facilitate contact tracing if they contract the novel coronavirus while performing their ECQ-related duties.
DILG asks three governors and two mayors to explain alleged quarantine violations.
Department of Education (DepEd) postpones graduation, moving up and recognition ceremonies indefinitely.
April 16, 2020
Senators call for the resignation of DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III for “failure of leadership, negligence and lack of foresight, and inefficiency”, but the latter ignores the call and says he will continue to serve the country.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) says it has stopped accepting applications for financial assistance under the Covid Adjustment Measures Program (Camp).
April 17, 2020
Discipline or de facto martial law? President Rodrigo Duterte, irked by the numerous violations of social distancing and other quarantine protocols, tells the nation to choose between imposing discipline among themselves and the enforcement of a de facto martial law.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia resigns. He is replaced by Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua.
April 18, 2020
Cases of coronavirus infections surpass 6,000.
April 19, 2020
Mortalities from Covid-19 pass 400 while cases continue to rise.
DILG orders barangay chairpersons to post the list of target SAP beneficiaries to ensure honest, transparent, and orderly management of the SAP funds.
PNP orders Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to conduct operations against unauthorized persons outside residence (UPOR) traveling onboard private vehicles and raid areas where home quarantine and social distancing rules are violated.
April 20, 2020
HPG starts operations against non-essential travelers and all private vehicles driven by or carrying UPOR. Over 300 motorists apprehended.
DILG orders LGUs to stop using disinfection tents, misting chambers or sanitation booths.
IATF issues guidelines on expanded testing program.
Supreme Court orders judges of first and second level courts to review cases and release qualified persons deprived of liberty to decongest jails.
April 21, 2020
PNP deploys Special Action Force (SAF) personnel in public markets in Metro Manila to strictly enforce social distancing and other ECQ protocols.
PNP Chief Archie Gamboa orders immediate arrest of ECQ violators. No more warnings.
President Rodrigo Duterte offers P10-million reward for any Filipino who can develop a vaccine against Covid-19.
DILG directs police to lead contact tracing in communities.
Policeman shoots former army soldier dead over alleged violation of ECQ protocols in Quezon City. Policeman faces investigation.
April 24, 2020
President Rodrigo Duterte approves the recommendation to extend ECQ until May 15, 2020 in 26 areas deemed as high risk for Covid-19.
Total cases of coronavirus infections exceed 7,000 in the Philippines. DOH says it has noted 18 clusters.
President Rodrigo Duterte raises cash reward for vaccine development to P50 million.
Ramadan starts. Muslims are urged to stay away from mosques and prayer rooms.
Policeman who shot former army soldier dead is charged with homicide.
April 26, 2020
PNP starts crafting action plan for the shift to general community quarantine (GCQ) from ECQ.
April 27, 2020
DOLE says more than 2.1 million workers have been displaced by the lockdowns imposed to slow the spread of Covid-19.
Foreigner in Dasmariñas Village figures in altercation with police officer enforcing rule on face masks.
April 28, 2020
President Rodrigo Duterte hints at relaxing quarantine restrictions soon.
IATF trims list of areas with extended ECQ until May 15. Only three regions, four provinces and three cities remain on the list.
Lawmakers fill bill seeking to establish “new normal” guidelines in workplaces and public spaces.
PNP tells men and women to provide assistance, ride to women who need to make essential travel to procure food, medicine and basic needs, elderly and pregnant women, nursing mothers and women with small children.
Members of the Quezon City task force enforcing ECQ rules are caught on video beating a fish vendor.
April 29, 2020
DILG says government personnel enforcing ECQ guidelines should not beat up violators. “Hindi mo dapat saktan,” DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño says.
April 30, 2020
PNP official appeals for patience and respect from both policemen and civilians avoid altercations over the enforcement of ECQ rules.
Malacañang announces that Bacolod and Iloilo cities in Western Visayas are included in the list of areas with extended ECQ.
DILG extends deadline for distribution of SAP cash aid.
May 1, 2020
Around 40 people taking part in a protest caravan in Iloilo City, 10 people holding a feeding program in Marikina City and two persons staging a protest in Rizal province are arrested for violation of the prohibition against mass gatherings.
DILG orders the establishment of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) desks in its regional offices to provide assistance to returning OFWs.
DOH says healthcare workers comprise 19 percent of confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Malacañang amends policy on gatherings, says these are not allowed even in GCQ areas.
Police arrest 39 people who allegedly attacked or discriminated against healthcare workers.
President Rodrigo Duterte issues Executive Order 112, which sets aside any quarantine declaration by a local government unit and places nine areas under ECQ until May 15, 2020.
May 2, 2020
Death toll from Covid-19 in the Philippines passes 600.
Albay province and Zamboanga City are included in areas under ECQ.
May 3, 2020
IATF suspends all inbound international commercial flights in nine airports for one week to decongest quarantine facilities.
May 4, 2020
Senate, House resume sessions, amend rules to allow participation via video conferencing and list minimum health standards.
PhilHealth says collection of premium contributions has been suspended until May 30 while President Duterte issues a directive making premium payments voluntary for OFWs.
May 5, 2020
President Duterte offers to give P30,000 cash reward for information on corrupt local government officials who committed irregularities in the implementation of the social amelioration program (SAP).
The National Task Force Against Covid-19 is targeting to ramp up testing for the novel coronavirus, or Sars-CoV-2, by raising the number of accredited diagnostic laboratories to at least 78 by the end of May.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) says more than 12.1 million families have received financial assistance amounting to P65.5 billion under the social amelioration program (SAP).
President Duterte urges local government officials to welcome returning OFWs.
Epidemiologist John Wong says the epidemic curve is starting the flatten despite the backlog in data encoding of specimens. He says, however, that the number of cases will continue to fluctuate.
May 6, 2020
Confirmed cases of coronavirus infection surge past 10,000, with 320 cases reported in a 24-hour period to bring the total to 10,004. Death toll is now 658 while the number of survivors increases to 1,506.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año says 712 local government units have not completed distribution of SAP cash assistance.
DOH says 100 patients will be administered the anti-flu drug Avigan from Japan as an experimental treatment for Covid-19.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario urges continued vigilance, compliance to health safety measures because it is still too early to say that the flattening of the curve will be sustained.
May 7, 2020
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año says some cities in Metro Manila are ready to shift to general community quarantine (GCQ) after May 15.
DILG extends deadline for distribution of cash grants to May 10 in Metro Manila.
For a second day in May, DOH reports more than 300 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection.
May 8, 2020
Officials note clustering of cases in Cebu, especially in jails, prisons and communities.
May 9, 2020
New confirmed cases go down to less than 200 after two consecutive days of increases of more than 300.
May 11, 2020
Confirmed cases of coronavirus infection exceed 11,000. Death toll rises to 726 while recoveries increase to 1,999.
Even if restrictions are eased after May 15, Malacañang reminds public that the country would still be under community quarantine.
DILG says about 1.7 million families did not receive the cash grant of P5,000 to P8,000 per family under the social amelioration program.
Police investigate 183 barangay officials accused of anomalies in the distribution of SAP cash grants.
Ten Metro Manila mayor are in favor of extending ECQ until the end of May.
May 12, 2020
As restrictions are eased and the economy is reopened gradually, President Duterte asks public to adapt to the new normal, wear masks and observe social distancing.
IATF places Metro Manila, Cebu City and Laguna province under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) for the period May 16 to May 31.
Police discourage public from traveling back to their hometowns as soon as restrictions are eased.
IATF approves listing of additional five million families as beneficiaries of SAP cash grants.
Police say it will downscale operations at quarantine control points in GCQ areas.
May 13, 2020
PNP Chief Archie Gamboa clears Major General Debold Sinas, says he did not violate any ECQ protocol when he allowed NCRPO policemen to hold a mañanita to celebrate his birthday.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año says Major General Debold Sinas should have immediately stopped his birthday celebration.
Sinas apologizes, says he did not intend to violate ECQ protocols.
IATF releases guidelines on ECQ, MECQ and GCQ.
University of the Philippines (UP) experts observe gross errors and inconsistencies in DOH’s epidemiological data. DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III admits the errors, but says these have been corrected.
May 14, 2020
The Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service says it will exercise extra caution in investigating NCRPO Director Debold Sinas so as to avoid demoralizing the policemen who are in the front line of the battle against Covid-19.
IATF clarifies that the entire country is under GCQ, except Metro Manila, Cebu City and Laguna, which are under MECQ until May 31.
Online college courses may now be held while flexible learning options may be introduced in August and face-to-face classes may be held in September 2020.
National Task Force Against Covid-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon admits 7,000 backlog in testing for the novel coronavirus, or Sars-CoV-2.
May 15, 2020
Confirmed cases of coronavirus infection exceed 12,000 as deaths top 800.
NCRPO Director Debold Sinas and 18 other police officers are charged for violating ECQ rules with the conduct of his birthday celebration.
May 16, 2020
IATF amends order, retains ECQ in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue from May 16 to 31. Six other local government units are added to Metro Manila and Laguna as MECQ areas while the rest of the country is under GCQ until May 31.
On the first day of the easing of restrictions, confirmed cases of coronavirus infection in a 24-hour period remained at more than 200.
The proportion of coronavirus infections from Central Visayas in the country’s total case count has increased while those from the National Capital Region (NCR) and Calabarzon have gone down.
Malacañang says home religious services are now allowed in MECQ areas.
May 17, 2020
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) says some OFWs have escaped from quarantine centers in Metro Manila after a prolonged stay. Some turned out to be positive for the novel coronavirus, or Sars-CoV-2.