Social distancing to be observed in typhoon evacuation

FILE: Authorities implement stricter physical distancing at the Balintawak Market in Quezon City on Thursday (April 16, 2020). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – Local government units (LGUs) will see to it that social distancing is observed in the possible evacuation of vulnerable residents as Typhoon Ambo made landfall in Eastern Visayas on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said local officials must ensure that social distancing on a per-family basis would be observed as they seek temporary shelter in evacuation centers.

“Pagdating sa evacuation centers, kinakailangan (In evacuation centers, there should be) social distancing by family,” Roque said in a virtual presser.

Social distancing refers to maintaining a distance of 1 meter to 3 meters from other people as protection against catching or spreading the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Last March, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to replace the term social distancing with physical distancing.

Roque, meanwhile, assured that the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) “Oplan Listo” would be in full force amid the country’s continued fight against Covid-19.

Oplan Listo protocols are required to be undertaken by local officials before