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MANILA – Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo advised the public on Wednesday to get used to the quarantine and health rules imposed by the government to stop the further transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the country.
Panelo reiterated that following the minimum public health standards is the only way to defeat Covid-19.
“People are dying and it is totally avoidable,” he said during his commentary program “Counterpoint.”
He urged the public anew to continue using face mask and face shield, physical distancing, and regular handwashing.
He also stressed the need to isolate individuals infected with Covid-19 and trace people who have exposure to Covid-19 patients.
“Lahat pong iyan, ‘pag ginawa natin, eh gumagana upang mapatigil po natin ang pagkalat at pagkahawa ng coronavirus at makakaligtas po ito ng maraming buhay (If we do all these, we can stop the further spread of the coronavirus and save many lives),” Panelo said.
He reminded the public not to be complacent just because the country was able to secure Covid-19 vaccines.
He warned that individuals can still catch Covid-19 even after getting vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Public cooperation, he said, is vital in the country’s fight against Covid-19.
“Ang kailangan lang po natin talaga eh ‘yung kooperasyon ng bawat isa (What we really need is everyone’s cooperation),” Panelo said. “’Yun lang ho talaga ang paraan. Kailangan masigasig tayo. Palagi nating ilalagay sa isipan natin, hayaan niyo na yung kaunting inconvenience. Sanayan lang ho iyan (That’s the only solution. We need to be attentive. It’s just a little inconvenience. We just have to get used to it).”
Working ‘nonstop’
The Philippines on Wednesday logged an additional 12,674 Covid-19 infections, bringing the total case count to 853,209.
Some 648,220 infected individuals have recovered while 190,245 are still listed as active cases and 14,744 have died of Covid-19.
Panelo ensured the public that the government is working “nonstop” to contain the coronavirus.
“Gumagawa na nga ng paraan. Talagang walang tigil ho. (They are making a way. They are working nonstop). They are trying every effort they can under the circumstances to do everything to respond to all the needs,” he said.
On Sunday, President Rodrigo Duterte decided to place Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal under the less restrictive modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until April 30 after more public and private hospitals committed to provide rooms and beds dedicated to Covid-19 patients.
Other areas under MECQ are the City of Santiago in Isabela, Quirino province, and Abra.
Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao City, Lanao del Sur, and Quezon are under general community quarantine (GCQ).
The rest of the country stays under modified GCQ. (PNA)
