Public urged to do their bit in curbing coronavirus

FILE: Presidential Chief Legal Counsel and Spokesperson Salvador Panelo holds a press conference at the Sunset Business Hotel in Busan, South Korea on November 24, 2019. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – Malacañang reminded the public to do their part in slowing down the spread of the new coronavirus by observing protocols such as staying home, social distancing and observing proper hygiene.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark after the government released a fresh set of directives and guidelines in line with the “enhanced community quarantine” placed in the whole of Luzon on Tuesday night.

“We remind all individuals and juridical entities to comply honestly with the orders and corresponding regulations of the government for just by doing so, we are already greatly contributing to the containment and eventual elimination of the virus in the country,” he said in a statement.

He emphasized that complying with these protocols would also protect family, friends, and other citizens from contracting the highly-infectious disease.

Panelo also assured the public that the government remains in control slowing down the infection rate, vowing to address all concerns being aired by various sectors of society.

“The Office of the President remains on top of the situation as it hears all concerns being aired by various sectors of society, which are now being addressed,” he said.

Enhanced community quarantine refers to a “strict home quarantine” which means only one person per household would be allowed to go outside and only to buy access necessities.

Establishments that remain operational are involved in the production of basic necessities such as food, pharmacies, banks or remittance centers, and basic utilities such as water, electricity, internet, and telecommunications. Garbage collection, funeral and interment services, and gasoline stations also remain open.

Those exempted are uniformed personnel, health workers, emergency and other mission-critical services and media personnel with accreditation from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

All forms of mass transportation including jeepneys, buses, trains, and transport network vehicle services (TNVS) are suspended.

Only overseas Filipino workers, balikbayans, and foreigners are allowed to leave for abroad as long as their departure is 24 hours from the time they leave their homes or hotels.

There will also be a heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures.

The country is currently under a state of public health emergency and a state of calamity due to Covid-19.

As of Wednesday, the Department of Health (DOH) said there are a total of 202 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country with 17 deaths and 7 recoveries.

The coronavirus, which was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has affected more than 150 countries.