BSP offices closed for disinfection amid COVID-19 spread

The Philippine central bank will be temporarily closed for two days to make way for the disinfection of its premises following the possible exposure of its top official to a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case.

In an advisory, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said work has been suspended in its Head Office and its Security Plant Complex (SPC) Thursday, March 12, and Friday, March 13.

"The BSP, however, shall continue normal open market and PhilPass settlement operations as well as the servicing of cash withdrawals by banks at the SPC," it said.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno was among the government officials who has gone into self-quarantine over concerns of exposure to coronavirus last week.

"I'll go on self-quarantine because I was in the NLEx inspection ceremony with Secretaries Dominguez and Tugade last Thursday and was in a wake with Secretary Dominguez last Saturday," he said in a mobile message.

He was referring to the inspection of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) Harbor Link C3-R10 section last week, which was also attended by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Thought it's best to go on self-quarantine to be on the safe side. But I'm well, perfectly well," said Diokno.

Locally, the Philippines has so far recorded 49 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 16 of which were reported Wednesday.—AOL, GMA News