DOH ensures safety of polling precints

The Department of Health (DOH) has ensured that the system in polling precincts is safe and compliant with COVID-19 protocols in holding elections amid a pandemic.

According to Health spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire and the initial protocols issued by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the DOH has also issued additional recommendations to avoid the transmission of diseases during the election.

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“We suggest that safety officers should be there kasi ang Comelec may marshals,” said the DOH official.

“They have to ensure ‘pag may nakapasok na may sintomas, nandoon na rin siya, mayroong isolation precinct. Pero dapat masigurado na mai-refer agad sa local government right after voting para ma-manage,” she added.

Having adequate ventilation in the precincts is one of the most important things to follow besides wearing a mask and regularly sanitizing the hands of the voters.

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There is no problem in this aspect at a private school in San Juan because 17 precincts are in the covered gym.

But according to Helen Acedo, assigned Department of Education Supervisor Official (DESO) there, even though there were no problems in the final testing and sealing, she still did not lose her nervousness.

DOH ensures safety of polling precints

“Hindi tayo normal situation na puwedeng kumpol-kumpulan. Sana before election, alam na nila sino ang iboboto nila. Hindi ‘yong dito pa sila magche-check ‘di ba? So tatagal sila dito,” said Acedo.

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In Manila, apart from the final testing and sealing of the vote-counting machines, there was also a simulation of voting at isolation polling places.

All 87 polling centers in the city will have an isolation polling precinct (IPP) each, where personal protective equipment will be guarded.

“Pagdating niya sa isolation polling place, may pinapirmahan sa kaniyang waiver at authorization letter na pinapayagan niya si isolation polling place support staff na kumuha ng balota nya,” said officer na si Gregorio Bonifacio.

“Si safety protocol officer ang pupunta kung saan mang clustered precinct nakarehistro ‘yong nag-37.5 [degrees Celsius] and then siya kukuha ng balota and then after makuha ni safety protocol officer ‘yong balota, ibinigay po kay IPP support staff at boboto na si botante,” he explained.

After voting, the Comelec will liaise with the local government unit to manage the condition of the voter who showed symptoms or high temperature.

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