Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 9) — Marikina City on Monday announced the cancellation of the Palarong Pambansa following a confimed case of coronavirus disease in the city.
“Because of the health threat posed by COVID-19, I am suspending indefinitely the Palarong Pambansa 2020 as the health of the student athletes, teachers, and family members from all regions in the country is our primordial concern,” Marikina City mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro said.
The Palarong Pambansa was initially set to start in May.
The local government said while they are already prepared to host the multi-sport event for the first time this year, they had to suspend it in light of the new case of coronavirus confirmed in the city.
The patient is an 86-year-old American man who lives in Marikina. He returned to the country on February 19 from a vacation in South Korea.
Teodoro said he immediately ordered contract tracing of people who may have come in contact with the patient. He also ordered the disinfection of public areas like schools, markets, parks, and other local spaces to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the city.
“Pinagbawal na rin namin ang mga malalaking pagtitipon sa mga komunidad. Ito ‘yung dahilan kung bakit nagkaroon tayo ng class suspension para bigyan daan ang massive disinfection na gagawin sa mga paaralan para maging ligtas ang mga paaralan natin,” Teodoro said.
Prior to this, Teodoro suspended classes in all level in private and public schools in the city for the disinfection of classrooms from March 9 to 11. He is also considering extending the suspension of classes following these developments.
[Translation: We are also prohibiting mass gatherings in communities. This is the reason for the class suspension—to give way to massive disinfection in schools and to ensure that our schools are safe.]
