MANILA – The Philippine National Police discourages the public display of affection (PDA) due to rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.
PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier Gen. Ildebrandi Usana said couples should refrain from hugging, kissing, and holding hands while in public.
“The virus may be right before them. Infection happens to families, it can happen to anyone, anywhere,” Usana said on Wednesday.
“People should maintain being cautious from the spread of the virus. And if you love your spouse, your children, you have to be conscious of the minimum health and safety protocols,” he added.
No immediate arrests will be conducted to the offenders but they would just be called out by the authorities.
“Sila na po ang magkusa maghiwalay properly in public, especially in commercial and recreational establishments. Hindi na siguro sila kailangan sitahin ng ating kapulisan,” he further said.
Aside from couples, the appeal is also extended to close friends who are “very dear to each other, family clans, and group of people.”
PNP chief Debold Sinas, meawhile, on Wednesday said the policy on PDAs has long been in place and the police were strictly implementing it amid the rise of COVID-19 cases./PN
