Returnees must abide to quarantine protocols-CHO
The City Health Office through Dr. Stephen Mortera on Saturday’s live stream conference urged returnees who were stranded due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to follow quarantine procedures.
The pronouncement is a form of appeal to all Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) as the threat of the Covid-19 remains high in the country and that some of those eager to go home may unknowingly bring the disease to the city and their loved ones if they refused to submit in a 14-day quarantine.
“For those who have entered and failed to comply with the protocol, it is increasingly likely that they will be reported to the authorities in Koronadal”, Dr. Stephen Mortera said. Further, Mortera stressed that the BHERTs and BHWs in the 27 barangays are always on the lookout and the “citizen-watchdog” had already in placed a channel of reporting as Koronadaleños are now more vigilant in reporting suspected uncomplying returnees.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mortera said that everyone has the social responsibility to contribute in the government’s effort towards solving the problem brought about by the pandemic which geared to protect the interest of the many. “We have to be responsible enough, if we want to protect our community”, he further said.
Moreover, the doctor emphasized that SLIs who will disobey the protocols will be subjected to penalty in which violations of law carry with it appropriate penalties and fines. “Now, if you are the private or government individual coming from an area with local transmission, then you refused to declare your health status or you are coming from a certain area that has notifiable diseases, you have to remember that you can be penalized”, Dr. Mortera said.
On the other hand, Dr. Mortera commended the effective citizens’ engagement in the city. “We are very thankful that in the barangay and community level, they are responsible enough to report violators, even their neighbors”, Mortera said.
Also, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of local actors, and the need to empower them as they are often the ones on the frontline.