Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6) — Acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar reminded the public to continue following the usual minimum public health standards during their Holy Week vacation plans.
Amid concerns on the threat of the new “Omicron XE” variant of COVID-19, the spokesperson also suggested the public to avoid large crowds, and if possible, visit outdoor destinations where ventilation is good.
“The usual—maghugas, mag-mask, mag-social distancing. Kung pwedeng iwasan ang malaking crowd. Iwasan natin. Napakalaki ng bansang Pilipinas, we have over 7,600 islands. Kung meron kayong mapupuntahan na outdoor, mas maganda siguro, para hindi kayo nakukulong sa loob ng mga lugar, espasyo, na konti ang ventilation,” Andanar stated in a Palace briefing Wednesday.
[Translation: The usual—wash your hands, wear a mask, practice social distancing. If large crowds can be avoided, let’s avoid it. The Philippines is a big country, we have over 7,600 islands. If you have a place you can go that is outdoor, it will be better, so you won’t be confined in places, spaces, that have minimal ventilation.]
The Department of Health recently said that it is already in talks with the World Health Organization regarding the latest COVID-19 variant of concern, Omicron XE, which is a hybrid of the BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants. The DOH’s statement was issued after Thailand logged its first case of the mutant variant.
READ: DOH monitoring ‘Omicron XE’ case reported in Thailand
In light of concerns on the XE variant and the upcoming May 2022 polls, Andanar said studies are currently underway.
“Patuloy ang ginagawang pag-aaral sa XE bilang isang variant. Ang mahalaga ay sumunod sa minimum public health standards. Mag-mask, hugas, iwas, at magpabakuna.”
[Translation: Studies on XE as a variant are ongoing. What’s important is to follow the minimum public health standards. Wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid [large crowds], and get vaccinated.]
Meanwhile, when asked about President Rodrigo Duterte’s vacation plans this Holy Week, Andanar said that the chief executive, just like last year, will stay and spend the holiday in his house in Davao City.
