CEBU CITY – Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has asked the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Disease (IATF-MEID) to allow the province to implement its own quarantine protocols for Cebuano Overseas Filipinos Workers (OFWs) and Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs).
“Allow us to do this for the Cebuanos. Let this be a compromise,” Garcia told the IATF members headed by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III during Tuesday’s special session by the Provincial Board at the Capitol Social Hall.
Garcia said the province has no problem if the 10-day hotel quarantine will be enforced on non-Cebuano OFWs and ROFs.
“Allow us to take responsibility into our hands for we cannot govern with what ifs,” the governor said.
Duque, who attended the session, said the IATF will study the governor’s request.
“This has to be deliberated upon with the IATF with of course our experts,” Duque said.
During the session, the IATF insisted that that there should be no room for complacency, noting that the Delta variant of COVID-19 is more transmissible and has already affected 85 countries
Dr. Edsel Salvaña, DOH-Technicial Adivisory Group member, warned that relaxing the protocols may lead to surge similar to what happened in India.
Salvaña said the country remains susceptible to the delta variant owing to its low vaccination rate.
“It only takes one instance of delta and we are back to square one,” said Salvaña.
According to the Department of Health, the country already has 17 patients afflicted with the delta variant—one is an active case, 15 has recovered and another one has died.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles lauded the province for its improved COVID-19 situation but reiterated that it should remain vigilant due to the threat brought about by the delta variant.
“While we laud you in your accomplishment in fighting against covid-19, I also beg of you not put our guards down, not to be complacent and not to think that we have been successful really in beating the virus,” Nograles said.