The Department of Health (DOH) reminded rallyists to minimize their interaction with other participants while exercising their freedom of expression to avoid causing a superspreader event of COVID-19.
In a DOH media forum today (July 26), Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the spread of COVID-19 is always possible once a number of people are congregated in one area.
“Kaya tayo ay naggagawa ng measures so that we can prevent this kind of superspreader event from happening,” she said.
Vergeire recognized individuals’ freedom to express themselves as they picket; however, they must comply with health protocols set by the authorities.
“Hindi natin sila pwedeng i-deny of this freedom for expressing themselves. Pero, kailangan ay compliant sila sa health protocols na mayroon tayo. Kung makikita ng ating enforcers that they are already not complying with the safety protocols… we will call their attention and we will try to make them comply,” she said.
The removal of face masks and face shields is highly discouraged to avoid infection with the coronavirus.
Vergeire also reminded the public that there are existing variants of concern that are highly transmissible.
As of Monday, 119 COVID-19 Delta variant cases have been detected in the Philippines. – Report from Mark Fetalco / CF – jlo
