Philippines: 'Anti-coronavirus' Valentine bouquets include sanitizer, face mask

A Philippine businesswoman is selling bouquets of Valentine's Day flowers packed with hand sanitizers in a unique offer to help romantics fight the deadly viral outbreak.

Flower shop owner Mary Jane Villegas said that her bouquets can better express one's love than traditional flowers with chocolates because they address widespread alarm over the virus.

Villegas says that aside from sanitizers, the bouquets also contain a protective face mask, soap, toothpaste and a bottle of alcohol neatly arranged with red roses, tulips and other popular flowers.

"I am scared of the virus, of course, we don't know if the people we mingle with are sick," she said. "We want to live longer, that is why I made this."

A customer, Mark Richard Gigantone, says the slightly more expensive flowers will delight his wife.

Villegas said she placed protective face masks, alcohol, soap, toothpaste and gloves in her bouquet to remind people that flowers are not the only things you can give during Valentines but also protection against the COVID-19.

The 'anti-nCoV' bouquet is sold for P1,300 or $26.

Department of Health officials urge the public to avoid crowded areas, wash hands often and observe cough etiquette as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19.