ZAMBOANGA CITY – The city government is mulling the possible closure of Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi (BASULTA) -Sabah border to prevent the entry of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) variant in this city, which is a transit area.
This was disclosed by Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, who noted that the new COVID-19 strain that originated in the United Kingdom has been detected in Sabah, Malaysia, which is barely a few hours away from Zamboanga City by boat.
Climaco has ordered concerned agencies comprising the local Task Force TF-COVID-19 to immediately come up with contingency measures to pre-empt, prevent and prepare in case the new coronavirus strain enters the country and the city.
The new strain of coronavirus was reportedly more transmissible than other SARS-CoV2 variants.
Authorities of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) that a new SARS-CoV-2 variant was identified through viral genomic sequencing. This variant is referred to as SARS-CoV-2
According to reports, initial analysis indicates that the variant may spread more readily between people. Investigations are ongoing to determine if this variant is associated with any changes in the severity of symptoms, antibody response, or vaccine efficacy.
She directed local TF-COVID-19 Chief implementer Dr. Elmeir Apolinario to gather the consensus of all members on the appropriate protocols to be implemented in the seaport, airport, and land borders as part of the pro-active measures.
“We need to pre-empt, prevent, and eventually prepare for the entry of new strain. Since COVID 19 will be present in 2021 we need long term planning,” Climaco emphasized.
The mayor said the city government will have to expedite the putting up its own molecular testing laboratory through the City Health Office to accommodate more people undergoing RT-PCR tests, and to hasten the establishment of quarantine facilities to isolate suspected and confirmed coronavirus cases.
Climaco has also requested earlier the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to extend the services of contact tracers until December 2021 to maximize contract tracing and detection of the virus.
She also appealed to the DILG to expedite the payment of salaries of contact tracers, who have been a big help to the barangays in COVID-19 prevention efforts.
Climaco said the city was also closely coordinating with the national government for the acquisition of anti-COVID vaccines, as NIATF Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez named Zamboanga City as a priority area.
The city has also allocated the amount of P200 million under the 2021 Executive Budget for the purchase of vaccines.
The 98 barangays and the security forces will also have to be involved in the implementation and enforcement of COVID safety and health protocols.
Climaco said compliance with all safety and health protocols remains crucial as it continues to be the best defense against COVID-19, which remains ever-present.
President Duterte in a televised briefing Saturday night has extended the ban on all flights from the United Kingdom for two more weeks. Plans to impose a Sabah travel ban were also discussed during the said briefing.