Expert favors placing entire Phl under MGCQ

An expert from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Sunday said Metro Manila needs to relax the community quarantine in lieu of the economic situation the country is facing at the moment.

Dr. Anna Lisa Ong-Lim, Pediatric Disease Specialist, in an interview with dzMM said she supports the planned placing of the entire country under modified general community quarantine which is now awaiting the go signal of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Our mindset has always been open or close, when in fact maybe we should be moving forward to another dimension of the question which is if has been decided to open the economy, what needs to be done since sooner or later we need to relax the restrictions. We know that our economy is suffering,” Ong-Lim said.

Duterte is expected to announce Monday his decision whether to finally implement the MGCQ status nationwide following calls from the economic managers and the favorable decision of the Metro Manila mayors.

 “As health professionals, while we want to protect the health dimension, we still need to consider that the economy needs to reopen. What should be done now is to ensure everybody will be protected against the virus,” Ong-Lim added.

 At the same time, Ong-Lim supported the statement of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire who said that local government units (LGUs) should always be on their toes regardless of community quarantine status.

 Ong-Lim said that public transportation and establishments should follow the health protocols once MGCQ is observed.

 “The more critical thing is when the public is using the public transports, it is important that strict compliance to minimum health standards is implemented and establishments are well ventilated,” Ong-Lim explained.

 Ong-Lim acknowledged that placing Metro Manila under MGCQ will not be an easy decision for the President.