IN preparation for a possible surge in the number of COVID-19 cases as restrictions are being relaxed in many aspects of daily living, two quarantine facilities with bigger capacity and improved features will begin operating in the city of Manila this week.
This was announced by Mayor Isko Moreno as he and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna inaugurated Wednesday morning the expanded San Andres Sports Complex quarantine facility, which will be followed by the opening of the same kind of facility at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) on Thursday.
Moreno said he would be very thankful if the said facilities do not get to be used at all, because this would mean that the populace is safe from the coronavirus. However, he stressed that there is a need to be prepared for the worst scenario.
As the government eases certain restrictions in an effort to rev up the economy and thus provide jobs as countless have lost their livelihood due to the pandemic, Moreno said there must be readiness on the part of the government units concerned in case of a resurgence of coronavirus cases which is always a possibilty.
Noting that the public has a tendency to let their guards down once they are allowed to engage more freely in outdoor activities, Moreno reminded them, specially Manilans, to bear in mind that the deadly virus is still very much in our midst as in fact, several countries like Europe, Spain and Argentina, among others, are experiencing a second wave of COVID-19.
“We do not want a second wave. In fact, how I wish na hindi magamit ang mga quarantine facilities natin but we have to be ready in case it happens and I hope everyone joins me in praying na hindi nga ito mangyari by keeping safety in mind,” Moreno said.
The mayor said there is a need to balance life and livelihood and as the government opens up its economy little by little, he appealed to the public who will go back to work to do so safely and never forget to practice the basic protocols —wear your face mask, wash your hands and watch your distance.
Meanwhile, Moreno said public utility drivers, mall employes and vendors from the city’s public markets who test positive under the mass COVID-19 swab testing being done citywide will get support via food packs to ensure that their families will have something to eat while they recover.
