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On easing COVID-19 restrictions in PH: Ex-NTF adviser urges gov't to 'slow down'

Philippines | National

On easing COVID-19 restrictions in PH: Ex-NTF adviser urges gov't to 'slow down'

By Charie Mae F. Abarca

Should the national government loosen the restrictions amid the decreasing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections in the country? A health reform advocate said that the government should “slow down.”

(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Health reform advocate and former National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 special adviser Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon urged the national government to weigh in the situation before easing the pandemic restrictions in the country.

“Dapat ay maghinay-hinay tayo at dapat ay may timelines din tayo (We should slow down and we should also have timelines),” said Leachon in an interview over DZRH on Monday, Feb. 21.

Citing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) criteria, Leachon said that among the indicators that a country could lift the restrictions were the controlled viral transmission; a stable health care system; a rapid, accessible, and affordable testings in place; and capable hospitals in the countryside.

“Pag hindi tayo nag ingat at nag dahan-dahan ay mapapatulad sa nangyari sa Denmark. Nagbukas sila two weeks ago at nagkaroon ng surge. Hindi na tayo lalayo, ang Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, at Japan ay nagsu-surge. Tayo lang ang maganda ang kinalalagyan ngayon (If we will not be careful and we do not slow down, we will experience what happened in Denmark. They lifted their restrictions two weeks ago and there was a surge. Let us not go far, COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan are surging. We are the only ones in a good position right now),” he added.

Related Tags

covid-19 EASING RESTRICTIONS Coronavirus disease pandemic Dr. Tony Leachon

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