In view of the declaration of the World Health Organization (WHO) that the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak is already a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and the Department of Health's announcement that there is a confirmed case of the 2019-nCoV in the Philippines, Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta encourages all court personnel to observer proper hand and respiratory hygiene, and safe food practices pursuant to the WHO's standard recommendations for the general public to reduce exposure to and transmission of the 2019-nCoV.

Court personnel are likewise encouraged to wear masks inside courtrooms, halls of justice, and judiciary building, in the interest of everyone's health. They may refer to the WHO's advice on the proper use of masks in context of the 2019-nCov outbreak.