The Department of Tourism (DoT) confirmed yesterday that another Filipina was caught violating the COVID-19 mandatory quarantine after posting on social media about her going to a massage session.
“Actually meron pa isang kaso e. Binigay ‘yung pangalan, nag-skip ng quarantine, in fact nag-post pa sa social media nagpapamasahe siya. Nahuli na rin,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
This was after a Pinay from the US Gwyneth Anne Chua alias “Poblacion girl” who was COVID positive and fled while quarantined at a Makati hotel recently.
According to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Chua has infected 15 people.
The Tourism Secretary also urged the public to provide them with the names of the alleged quarantine violators to be investigated.
He said they are investigating the possible syndicate behind the escape or non-quarantine in some quarantine centers and hotels.
The DOT is already in contact with the Bureau of Quarantine, the Philippine Coast Guard, and DILG on the alleged ‘absentee quarantine’ in hotels.
Meanwhile, the Makati local government has no plans to declare Gwyneth Chua as “unacceptable” or “unwelcome person” (persona non grata).
Another Filipina escapes quarantine to get a massage
This is what Makati City Mayor Abby Binay said about Chua, who hails from the United States and is infected with COVID-19 but still attended a party in the city.
“The level of persona non grata should be reserved for someone who really deserves it,” Binay said in an ANC interview on Tuesday.
“She’s young, she’s callous, but she will have to suffer the consequences.”
The Philippine National Police (PNP) had earlier said that they would file a case against nine people, including Chua, her parents, and employees of the Berjaya Makati Hotel who were allegedly accomplices in her escape from quarantine.
It is alleged that they violated the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Concern Act (Republic Act 1332).
“We’re already preparing our complaint. We have several options. We can suspend [the hotel used for quarantine’s] permit, the DOT will come up with their recommendation as well,” Binay continued.
“It’s an ongoing investigation with Berjaya.”
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