MANILA – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Sunday described as “encouraging” how a Thai news website used his GIF in reminding the public of minimum health protocols on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
GIF stands for Graphic Interchange Format or a type of computer file that contains a still or moving image.
In a tweet on Saturday, Thai Enquirer reminded netizens to follow minimum health protocols such as washing hands, wearing a mask and observing physical distancing.
“Listen to government announcements and do not take unnecessary risks,” the Thai Enquirer said in its tweet.
The Thai news site also attached to the tweet a GIF of Roque during one of his press briefings.
In a statement, Roque welcomed the use of his GIF in a tweet.
“It is encouraging that foreign media, particularly Thai Enquirer, has taken notice of The Philippine government’s Minimum Public Health Standards Advocacy Campaign of wearing a face mask, washing of hands, and maintaining a physical distance, which is known locally as ‘Mask, Hugas, Iwas,’” he said.
Citing the Thai Enquirer, he also urged the public to “listen to government announcements and do not take unnecessary risks.”
“Indeed, Covid-19 knows no borders, as the Thai news website succinctly puts it, ‘We’re all in this together,’” he added.
Since his GIF was used in the Thai news site, he said it meant that the message being imparted by the government’s information drive is “effective.”
“The fact that the Philippine government’s advocacy campaign has caught international attention underscores how effective our message is — which we articulate in every press briefing and which we prominently display on the podium — in conveying that we must adhere to such health standards aimed at saving lives and protecting the communities,” he said.
Roque, meanwhile, advised the public to continue observing minimum health protocols to avoid a post-holiday spike in Covid-19 cases.
He earlier warned that parts of the country could shift to a stricter community quarantine should Covid-19 cases rise.
“Let everyone be reminded therefore that in this holiday season, we should continue to wear face masks/face shields, wash our hands, and maintain a physical distance to have safe and healthy 2021,” he added.