Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Chairperson and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III disclosed that the task force is set to discuss the quarantine classification recommendation for the month of December on Thursday, November 26.
“Ginagabayan tayo ng ating data analytics experts. At base sa kanilang mga datos, magrerekomenda sila ng anong level, new status of the community quarantine. Baka bukas ay pag-usapan na ito (We are guided by the data analytics experts. And based on their data, they will recommend the level and new status of the community quarantine. It might be discussed tomorrow).”
The IATF-EID may also finalize the particular guidelines on the holiday season amidst the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, DOH Sec. Duque firmly dkiscouraged face-to-face Christmas parties in any part of the country.
“Mataas ang risk niyan, dahil pwedeng diyan magmula ang mga spreading event, super spreading event. Sayang mawawaldas na naman lahat ng pagod at ating pagpupunyagi, at pagpupursigi na makontrol ang transmission ([Parties] have high risks because they can be the start of the spreading events, super spreading event. All our exhaustion, hard work and efforts to control the transmission will just go to waste).”
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assured that it will strengthen its monitoring to ensure that the minimum health protocols are still followed in malls and flea markets. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
