HOLIDAY SURGE | Philippines should rethink easing restrictions due to ‘super spreader’ events during holidays, experts warn

December 9, 2020 , 04:25 PM

(December 9, 2020) – Philippine authorities should rethink easing restrictions during the long Christmas holidays as “super spreader” events could trigger spikes in the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, a group experts from the country’s premier state university warned on Wednesday.

Researchers from the University of the Philippines, belonging to the OCTA group, said the government should reconsider allowing the limited resumption of conferences and seminars in areas under a General Community Quarantine (GCQ) status as these events could trigger an outbreak due to social mixing.

“We understand the logic of economic promotion in these directives but given the reality of significant outbreaks still in many GCQ areas, we believe, that at this time, these directives are risky and opposed to good or sensible pandemic management,” the researchers said in the latest report released to the press.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) had approved the holding of seminars and training events in areas under the GCQ, including Metro Manila, but limited the capacity to 30 percent of the venue.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Trade and Industry are expected to issue a joint directive about conferences, seminars and training programs.

The health department, for its part, said that seminars can be safe if attendees will continue to abide by the minimum health protocols it had recommended.

“Very careful po ang ginawa nating pagsusuri para yung recommendation natin is really on a gradual basis,” said DOT Assistant Secretary Rica Bueno.

The UP OCTA Research Team also wanted the government to review its policy of allowing people aged 15 to 65 years old to go out of their homes, as it essentially increased the possibility of more people contracting the virus. Under previous guidelines, only those aged 21 to 60 years old are allowed to go outside of their residence to work and shop essential items.

As the holiday season draws near, the government should not let its guard down by relaxing restrictions during the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays, according to the researchers.

If anything, the government must improve its efforts in dealing with the pandemic, especially since the country’s caseload is currently pegged at 444,164 with 26,545 active cases remaining to date.

While the UP OCTA Research Team projected that the country will reach 500,000 cases by the end of the year, they stressed that the anticipated uncontrollable surge can be avoided if the government, private sector, and civil society will do their share in curbing the virus spread.

“While we must and we will celebrate the coming Christmas season, we should do so in a safe and a responsible manner not just to ensure our own safety and wellbeing, but that of our families and our community,” the researchers said.

(Beatrice Puente/MM)

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