CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—Central Luzon police director BGen. Valeriano De Leon on Sunday ordered all police units in the region to disinfect their offices daily, as the number of policemen who have contracted the coronavirus climbed to 102 in just two weeks.
“As the rising cases of COVID-19 hit the Central Luzon police force, basic measures to prevent transmission must be observed in every police unit,” said De Leon in a directive.
Official transactions with police offices and supporting units such as the Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG), Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Medical and Dental Service and PNP Crime Laboratory must be limited to appointment-basis only to prevent the spread of the virus, added De Leon.
He said the instruction is in line with the guidance of PNP headquarters and the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) protocol in preventing the spread of the new strains of COVID-19.
De Leon was alarmed by the recent result of RT-PCR swab tests held at the main headquarters and line units in the region, where more than 100 tested positive for the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the Pampanga provincial government activated police checkpoints in 19 towns and three cities to control and limit the movements of residents as COVID-19 cases spiked.
“Only two members of the family are allowed to go out to buy essentials, including foods and medicines. Restaurants and other business establishments are restricted to only 50 percent capacity,” stated the executive order issued by Governor Dennis Pineda.
As part of the prevention measures, De Leon said seminars and conferences must be done virtually or via Zoom or any online platform.
Work for civilian employees who are immunocompromised and those with comorbidities have been arranged for their safety, he added.
“While we are still waiting for the vaccines, I constantly remind our personnel especially those manning the checkpoints and are more exposed to the virus to take extra measures to protect them,” said De Leon.
He reminded all members of the Central Luzon PNP of frequent hand-washing or disinfection with alcohol-based hand sanitizer, respiratory hygiene such as covering coughs, physical distancing of at least one meter or more, and wearing of face masks and face shields.
De Leon assured the public that all policemen positive with the coronavirus are housed in isolated quarantine facilities at regional police headquarters.