Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10) — Foreign travel in the police force has been temporarily banned amid threats of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“On instructions of Police General Archie Francisco F Gamboa, the Philipine National Police has suspended the processing of foreign travel and authority to travel abroad for official functions in the light of latest development on the COVID-19 situation in the country,” said Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson PMGen Benigno Durana Jr. in a statement.
“All leave applications under process by the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management are put on hold,” he added.
He said four police personnel are under watch by the PNP Health Service and are on home quarantine. Three have exhibited symptoms, the other is asymptomatic.
Two of the four have travel history to Japan which has reported over 500 confirmed cases as of March 10.
The country has so far imposed restrictions on mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and in North Gyeongsang province, South Korea, with the exemption of overseas Filipino Workers, permanent residents, and students.
Ahead of the PNP announcement, the Department of Health confirmed nine more COVID-19 patients in the country, bringing the total number of infected people to 33.
