Spox: Duterte not ordering community pantry shutdown

President Rodrigo Duterte is not ordering the shutdown of community pantries amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

Duterte's concern is that community pantries could become superspreaders of the virus due to people swarming the locations.

He had previously advised the public to wait for government aid at home rather than going out to community pantries.

Duterte also criticized Filipinos who he perceived as being unafraid of Covid-19 and disregarding quarantine protocols.

Roque clarified that Duterte was not saying to stop the pantries but was worried about them becoming superspreaders.

The Palace is appealing for community pantries to coordinate with local government units and ensure social distancing and other minimum health standards are observed.