Dr. Rontgene Solante, who is also a government coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic response consultant, said he is not in favor of the Cebu City Government’s move to lift the mandatory wearing of face masks in all areas in the city, whether open spaces or not, saying the virus continues to linger.
“Napakadelikado ng ganitong hakbang. This actually is the protocol which should be dropped lastly amid the pandemic,” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.
Solante said the basis for easing health protocols amid the Covid-19 pandemic are the booster vaccination and number of cases.
“Ngayon at this point, if we are allowing everybody na magluwag sa pagsuot ng face mask, then makikita natin yan sa tingin nila lalo silang maging kampante at hindi na sila magpapabooster kasi maiisip nila parang normal na pala tayo wala nang pandemic,” he said.
“Hindi pwedeng ganon kasi we experience still more cases na nakita natin sa mga hospitals ngayon ‘yung vulnerable, we need to think of this pandemic and we will always have to be cautious in telling persons that wala nang pandemic or mababa na ang kaso because there is still this vulnerable population, high risk of severe Covid and mataas mortality sa mga population na ito,” he added.
Solante said that while economic recovery is important, it is also necessary to highly consider and balance it with the protection of the people.
The Cebu City Government has set the trial period for the implementation of the order until the end of the year. (SunStar Philippines)