The institution also cautions that “as the national government continues to reopen the economy, there is the real possibility of a significant surge in COVID-19 cases similar to the current outbreaks experienced in Europe and the US, especially during the long holiday season”.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III speaks along the same lines, “this is what we see and that is why this is a warning to all of us that if we let our guards down, you will really see what we’ve been saying all along, the surge in the number of cases.”
To prevent a similar wave from happening in the country, Prof. Guido David of the OCTA Research encourages the government and local government units to follow the example of Europe in enforcing the current limit of 10 persons per gathering under the general community quarantine (GCQ) guidelines in the National Capital Region (NCR). Office parties and other social events are also discouraged.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has earlier allowed the holding of workshops, trainings and seminars as long as they are limited to 30 percent of the venue capacity.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has made it clear that only chosen venues are allowed for such gatherings.
“Ito po yung mga restaurants in general, restaurants na attached sa hotels, iyon pong mga ballrooms at mga function halls na nasa hotel din, venues within the hotel premises at mall atria (These are restaurants in general, restaurants attached to hotels, ballrooms and function halls in hotel, venues within the hotel premises and mall atria,” DOT Asec. Rica Bueno specified.
The joint circular of the DOT and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on the matter is yet to be released. – Report from Mark Fetalco
