Health workers urge heightened vigilance vs. COVID-19 amid proposal for MGCQ

An alliance of health workers on Tuesday urged the public to practice heightened vigilance against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) amid proposals to loosen quarantine restrictions nationwide.

Interviewed on GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali,” Dr. Leonila Dans of the Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC) said Filipinos must ensure there is proper ventilation, social distancing, and face masks and shields wherever they go.

The public was also urged to limit interactions to less than 30 minutes to avoid contracting COVID-19.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Monday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to downgrade the quarantine classification of the entire country to modified general community quarantine, the least stringent category. 

NEDA cited the need to revive the economy to combat rising hunger among Filipinos.

“Masalimuot na desisyon ‘yan galing sa ating mga pinuno kasi kailangan na ng ating ekonomiya talagang ibukas ‘yung ating mga businesses,” Dans said.

“Mula sa aming mga scientist, importante na nasa parte na ngayon ng ating mamamayan ‘yung pag-iingat,” she added.

The HPAAC also said contact tracing systems must be enhanced to ensure the effectiveness of localized lockdowns in areas with a high number of infections.

They also pushed for less congestion in public transportation, bike lanes, internet access for all to attend online classes or to work from home, and universal healthcare.

Meanwhile, the NEDA also recommended expanding the age group allowed to go out from 15 to 65 to 5 to 70 years old.

“Natatakot lang tayo kasi no’ng una hindi natin alam ang nangyayari sa COVID noon… so ‘yung mga vulnerable natin pinag-stay natin sa bahay until mas maintindihan natin,” Dans said.

“So ngayon ang importante, katulad din no’ng mga nasa middle-aged group natin, same ang pag-iingat din.”

She stressed the need for more open public spaces where there is good ventilation.

“Ang kulang natin, wala tayong masyadong open space. Kung papaalisin natin ‘yung mga bata at sa mall lang natin papayagan, hindi naman magandang rason ‘yun… Gusto natin silang makalabas, ibig sabihin kailangan maraming open space,” Dans said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/RSJ, GMA News