The country’s Covid-19 health protocols remain effective against the virus and its subvariants, the Department of Health (DOH) stressed on Monday, Jan. 2, amid the uptick in China’s Covid-19 infections.
The DOH, in a statement on Monday, assured the public that the Philippine health protocols remain effective against Covid-19, “regardless of the variant.”
“As per our recent issuance, we have heightened border control and instructed strict implementation of health protocols in all of our borders and respective operating units,” said DOH.
“Particularly for incoming vessels with history of travel from China, we have imposed meticulous process to assess vaccination status, exposure, and symptoms. This shall be met with strict implementation of quarantine and isolation protocols as warranted,” it furthered.
Pursuant to a DOH memorandum issued on Dec. 31, 2022, all the Directors of Centers for Health Development (CHD) were directed to monitor and provide assistance in ensuring the “heightened surveillance on all respiratory symptoms in all travelers coming from China.”
The strict implementation of the updated minimum public health standards, as well as other relevant Covid-19 surveillance and mitigation measures, was likewise ordered by the DOH.
Meanwhile, the department likewise highlighted that the imposition of new restrictions on incoming travelers, including the “revision” of the existing protocols should be “science and evidence-based.”
“We, together with the experts, will continue to monitor the situation and act accordingly,” it added.