MANILA – Western Visayas should prepare for a “new normal” by May 16 when the community quarantine across the region would have been lifted. President Rodrigo Duterte, in an address to the nation yesterday morning, appealed to the people to continue wearing facemasks and observe social distancing.
The national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has deemed Region 6 to be a “low-risk” area for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections.
But according to the President, “COVID -19 (remains) very lethal. The easing up of restrictions hindi ibig sabihin wala na ang COVID…Dahan-dahan lang para hindi tayo madapa.”
The enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Iloilo city and province, and Bacolod City would be until May 15 only, and so, too, is the general community quarantine in the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.
The President, however, warned, “We cannot afford a second or third wave (of infections) na mangyari.”
As of yesterday, Western Visayas’ confirmed COVID-19 cases stood at 97, with 10 deaths, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed.
“The provinces and cities under the low risk category are in containment preparation phase which means empowering communities in enforcing minimum health standards and making investments to meet health capacity targets,” according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a virtual press conference yesterday hours after the President’s nationwide address.
He, however, emphasized that the threat of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, still exists thus “new normal” measures must be in place.
“Hindi pa po tayo pupuwedeng bumalik sa normal na bago dumating ang COVID-19 habang walang bakuna, habang walang gamot sa COVID-19,” he said. “Kinakailangan pong mag-ingat pa rin tayo. Mayroon pa rin pong banta, hindi lang ganoon katindi.”
Various business, private and government offices in Region 6 are expected to resume operations on May 18, even if gradually. They are seen to impose strict health safety measures on employees and clients such as the wearing of facemasks in their premises, social distancing, and constant disinfection of their work areas.
Here’s the breakdown of Western Visayas’ 97 COVID-17 cases as of May 12:
* Aklan – six
* Antique – 14
* Capiz – five
* Guimaras – zero
* Iloilo province – 18
* Negros Occidental – two
* Bacolod City – nine
* Iloilo City – 16
* repatriates – 27 (Aklan, one; Antique, three; Guimaras, two; Iloilo province, four; Negros Occidental, five; Bacolod City, two, and Iloilo City, 10)
For his part, National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. cited a World Health Organization (WHO) advisory.
“According to WHO, any plans to ease quarantine restrictions should be carried out gradually and in a phased manner, hinay-hinay lang po to prevent a resurgence of infections,” Galvez said.
The government cannot extend the ECQ period, he said, because its resources were very limited.
“It has to balance health and economy,” stressed Galvez.
Other provinces where the community quarantine would be lifted by May 16 were Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Magindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Other cities classified as low risk, on the other hand, were Dagupan City, Puerto Princesa City, Legazpi City, Naga City, Ormoc City, Tacloban City, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, and Cotabato City./PN
