Allowing COVID-19 cases to breach isolation to vote in Eleksyon 2022 not possible —Vergeire

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday said that it is not possible to allow COVID-19 patients to go out of isolation facilities and cast their votes at polling precincts during Eleksyon 2022 on May 9.

During a round-table discussion on “COVID-proofing” the 2022 elections, Vergeire added that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) can set alternative ways so COVID-19 cases can vote.

“I don't think that would be possible that they will go out of the hospital to vote. They are supposed to be isolated and being managed in the facility,” she said.

“So I guess Comelec can provide alternative mechanisms or processes for them so that they will be able to cast their vote as well,” Vergeire added.

Atty. Leylann Manuel, Comelec Employees Union - Nueva Ecija Chapter president, said the poll body only allows people with COVID-19 symptoms but not those with positive COVID-19 test results.

“Ang standing po natin if COVID-positive, it is against the law na mag-roam around siya, lumabas siya. Bawal po iyon,” he said.

(Our stand is if one is positive for COVID-19, it would be against the law if the patient goes out and roams around. That is prohibited.)

Earlier, the Comelec said it is eyeing to set up isolation polling places for voters who will show COVID-19 symptoms during election day,

Commissioner Aimee Torrefranca-Neri said this is among the measures that the Comelec is considering to ensure that the conduct of the elections will be safe for voters amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These are the plans in the pipeline for Comelec in COVID-proofing our 2022 national and local elections. Number 1, Comelec to conduct a public simulation of voting in an isolation polling place (IPP),” Torrefranca-Neri said.

“The IPP is said to be utilized in case a voter should exhibit COVID-19 symptoms or any increase in body temperature so he or she could still vote despite these challenges,” she added. —KG, GMA News