The Department of Health on Friday denied reports circulating online claiming that an emergency lockdown would be imposed because of the so-called “Cicada” COVID-19 variant.
In an advisory, the agency said there is no truth to the reports.
“Binibigyang-diin ng Department of Health na walang katotohanan ang kumakalat na balitang may emergency lockdown sa bansa dahil sa COVID-19 Cicada variant,” the DOH said.
The agency stressed that there is no reason for public concern or for a lockdown to be imposed.
“Walang dahilan para mabahala o mag-lockdown. Nauna nang inihayag ng ahensya nitong March 31, 2026, na nananatiling ligtas ang Pilipinas sa variant na ito,” it added.
The DOH also urged the public not to spread false information and to rely only on official government sources.
Earlier, the department said there have been no reported infections in the Philippines linked to the Cicada strain, also known as BA.3.2.
According to the World Health Organization, the Cicada strain was first detected in South Africa in November 2024 and is part of the Omicron lineage of the virus that causes COVID-19.
The WHO has classified BA.3.2 as a variant under monitoring after it was detected in 23 countries.
DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Albert Domingo said last week that there is no cause for alarm unless international health authorities raise concern.
He added that the DOH is currently more focused on illnesses linked to the hot and dry season, as well as preparations for the national health system amid a possible energy emergency.
