There is no need for panic buying as Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said Thursday goods could still be brought to Metro Manila despite the lockdown starting on March 15.
“The goods can still come to Metro Manila para masiguradong stable pa rin ang supply natin dito,” she told radio DZMM.
(The goods can still come to Metro Manila to ensure our supply is still stable here.)
Security forces and local government units would meet today to create detailed guidelines on how to implement the community lockdown in Metro Manila.
This includes the guide for drivers and delivery personnel in vehicles transporting the goods after President Rodrigo Duterte announced “community quarantine” last night.
Land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from Metro Manila shall be suspended beginning March 15, 2020, 00:00H until April 14, 2020, 23:59H.
Also read: Metro Manila COVID-19 Lockdown Guide
No need for panic buying, goods still allowed in Metro Manila-DTI
Castelo said they are working with local government units and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to ensure that the necessities of Metro Manila residents could be provided.
She also said DTI would also coordinate with supermarket owners and ask them to implement social distancing in their stores and replenish goods from time to time.
“‘Yung social distancing kailangan i-practice pa rin ng mga supermarkets at any given time. Pwede naman ‘yon laluna’t we are in a place of public health emergency,” Castelo said.
(Supermarkets need to practice social distancing at any given time. It would work especially now that we are a place of a public health emergency.)
As of late Thursday, March 12, the Philippines has recorded 3 new fatalities from the said virus, raising the total death toll to 5, with 52 COVID-19 cases at hand.