MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has cautioned media on the use of “lockdown” on its reportage of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as it may trigger public panic. “That’s why the word lockdown is usually used in relation to prisoners. “But since we don’t have those conditions yet, there is no compelling reason to place any place under lockdown,” he said. It’s just closed,” Malaya said. The constant use of the word “lockdown” has compelled people to do panic buying and other unnecessary acts out of fear, he added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 12, 2020 02:03 UTC