Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 2) — A former adviser of the government body dealing with the COVID-19 crisis is asking the public to go on “voluntary enhanced community quarantine” to help medical frontliners.
Dr. Tony Leachon published an image on his Facebook page showing how people could help healthcare workers struggling under the strain caused by the crisis.
His suggestions include not going to places of worship, gyms, salons, restaurants, and avoiding unnecessary travel.
These businesses have been gradually allowed to open in areas under general community quarantine over the past few weeks under specific guidelines, including strictly observing minimum health protocols.
Leachon said online transactions and working from home whenever possible are acceptable, adding that observing proper health protocol and praying also helps.
“We don’t need the government to put us on ECQ. We can do it voluntarily! Let’s do it for our healthcare workers, for ourselves and families,” the caption for the infographic said.
On Saturday, frontline healthcare workers feeling the pressure of attending to an ever-increasing number of COVID-19 patients urged the government to reimpose strict movement restrictions in Metro Manila and its nearby regions for two weeks.
Several medical societies asked President Rodrigo Duterte to place Mega Manila back to enhanced community quarantine from August 1 to August 15, noting that the country’s healthcare system is already overwhelmed and that medical professionals are already “burned out.”
Mega Manila is composed of Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, and Mimaropa.
Duterte later ordered the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, the policy-making body in the government’s COVID-19 response, to immediately act on their concerns.
