Physical distancing critical to controlling COVID-19 – WHO

World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe reminded the public to observe social distancing amid the enhanced community quarantine.

While Abeyasinghe congratulated the government for the enhanced community quarantine, he noted that it needed to be complemented with physical distancing to be effective.

“The enhanced community quarantine needs to be complemented by physical distancing in our homes and communities. This is critically important because this will further slow down the epidemic,” he said in a public briefing.

“It is now the responsibility of every one of us to maintain the physical distancing.”

Abeyasinghe pointed out that delaying the upsurge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases would give time for the authorities and hospitals to prepare the health care and patient management system.

However, informal settlers in Metro Manila are unable to remove themselves from crowded living situations despite the threat of COVID-19.

Amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s implementation of an enhanced community quarantine over the entire of Luzon, some Filipinos still struggle to practice social distancing given their living conditions.

The practice has also been known to be abandoned completely in several crowded markets. — DVM, GMA News