By Genalyn Kabiling
Journalists are no longer allowed to go inside the Malacañang press briefing room until the end of the lockdown in Luzon based on a new Palace advisory.
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Only resource speakers and government media workers will be allowed access to the press briefing room as the Palace shifted to holding virtual press conferences as a precaution against the spread of the new coronavirus disease.
The latest "public address protocol" during the quarantine period was issued by Presidential Communications Operations Office Undersecretary for Broadcasting and Mass Media Raquel Tobias.
"To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we encourage everyone to abide by the following protocol during a public address: Effective 27 March 2020, only the following persons shall be allowed inside the press briefing room of the New Executive Building, Malacañang Palace during a public address: a) resource speaker/s; b) RTVM cameraman; (c)  one moderator from the Office of Global Media and Public Affairs," the media advisory read.
"Members of the press shall no longer be allowed inside the press briefing room until the end of the Enhanced Community Quarantine," it added.
According to Tobias, the media may participate during the public address through the virtual press conference. Journalists may submit questions in advance either to the moderator or the resource speaker.
The latest changes in the Palace press briefings have been issued following the rising cases of coronavirus infections in the country.
The PCOO has issued identification cards to journalists covering the coronavirus emergency so they can operate within the quarantine zone in Luzon. The month-long enhanced community quarantine is in effect until April 12.
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Only resource speakers and government media workers will be allowed access to the press briefing room as the Palace shifted to holding virtual press conferences as a precaution against the spread of the new coronavirus disease.
The latest "public address protocol" during the quarantine period was issued by Presidential Communications Operations Office Undersecretary for Broadcasting and Mass Media Raquel Tobias.
"To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we encourage everyone to abide by the following protocol during a public address: Effective 27 March 2020, only the following persons shall be allowed inside the press briefing room of the New Executive Building, Malacañang Palace during a public address: a) resource speaker/s; b) RTVM cameraman; (c)  one moderator from the Office of Global Media and Public Affairs," the media advisory read.
"Members of the press shall no longer be allowed inside the press briefing room until the end of the Enhanced Community Quarantine," it added.
According to Tobias, the media may participate during the public address through the virtual press conference. Journalists may submit questions in advance either to the moderator or the resource speaker.
The latest changes in the Palace press briefings have been issued following the rising cases of coronavirus infections in the country.
The PCOO has issued identification cards to journalists covering the coronavirus emergency so they can operate within the quarantine zone in Luzon. The month-long enhanced community quarantine is in effect until April 12.