Groups of health workers have expressed hesitation on the tightening of space required for physical distancing in public transportation.
Although the new protocol is intended to help in the gradual opening of the economy, Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC) believe it might cause the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country to shoot up and slow down recovery.
“Tutol po ang HPAAC sa pag-relax ng social distancing measures in PUVs dahil sa tingin namin maaga pa masyado (The HPAAC is against the relaxing of social distancing measures in PUVs because we think it is too early),” HPAAC Spokesperson Dr. Antonio Dans pointed out.
The HPAAC is the same group that called for a two-week timeout amid full utilization capacity of hospitals.
The Philippine College of Physicians also said the new protocol may cause further transmission of the virus especially if there is weak airflow and improper wearing of face mask.
UP OCTA Research appealed to the DOTr to carefully evaluate the decision, citing the possible rise in transmission rate. The group aims to cut down the COVID-19 transmission rate to 0.5 from the current 0.9
“Yes, it is going down. ‘Yung ating (Our) rate of transmission is going down but this is not permanent and irreversible. If we undertake this DOTr change in policy, we can expect that the numbers will spike,” Prof. Ranjit Rye of OCTA Research Group warned.
The DOH in a statement appealed for extra vigilance among the public amid the new protocol. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque disclosed that the new guideline on physical distancing will be discussed anew on Tuesday by the IATF-EID.
The DOH reported 4,699 more COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the total to 265,888. At least 249 more recoveries and 259 new deaths were added to the tally, bringing the total recoveries and deaths to 207,504 and 4,630, respectively. – Report from Mark Fetalco
