President Rodrigo Duterte warned that stricter quarantine protocols could be implemented to prevent the spread of the Delta COVID-19 variant in the country.
Duterte is concerned about the spread of more contagious Delta variant in other countries, so the Philippines needs to make sure that it does not spread to other countries.
“We may need to reimpose stricter restrictions to avoid mass gathering and prevent superspreader events . . . I urge the DILG and the PNP to implement the existing protocols with greater urgency and necessity. It is only by imposing these restrictions that we can fight the threat of Delta variant,” he said.
Duterte hopes that the government’s methods now are sufficient to prevent the entry of the Delta variant.
But should it enter the country and spread, he said, the Philippines may return to stricter quarantine status.
“Now, it is not only Indonesia, tinamaan ulit ang Korea at Taiwan. Sila ‘yung nag-lockdown kasi pumasok nga itong variant na Delta . . . Pagka nandito na kung sakali man it will spread, I hope it will not, then we’ll have to go again to stricter measures. We are not the only one. And also, tinamaan ng Delta is UK. Balik rin sila sa dati,” said Duterte.
Duterte warns gov’t will be strict to fight Delta variant
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reported that last week, 16 additional cases of Delta variant were recorded in the country, of which 3 were in the National Capital Region, 2 in Region 6, and 6 in Region 10.
He said the Department of Health would continue to monitor these areas to ensure that there will be no surge of COVID-19 cases.
Duque added that the ICU utilization rate in Region 10 is at high and critical risk, which is at moderate risk now, while Region 6 is said to be close to going up to high risk.
Despite this, Duque is confident that the government’s border control is now effective. However, it is now being studied whether Malaysia and Thailand should also be included in the travel restrictions that should be imposed.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.