DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday, March 31, said he will look into reports that police have cordoned off the properties owned by Covid-19 patients in Cebu.
“That is discriminatory. I will look into that. There are other ways to warn people,” he said in a text message.
Año was asked whether it was part of police protocol to cordon off the house or property of a person found positive for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Police have cordoned off the Talamban Leisure Center in Cebu City that is reportedly owned by the Tudtud couple.
The couple, pathologist Helen Tudtud and oncologist Dennis Ramon Tudtud, have died from Covid-19. Helen passed away on March 27, while husband Dennis Ramon lost his battle with the disease Tuesday morning, March 31.
In Talisay City, Cebu, Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. also posted on Facebook that the police were going to cordon off the house of a Covid-19 patient. Gullas also revealed the address of the patient.
“Police is now in the residence where we will cordon the area and ensure that everyone inside the house will not be able to leave the residence so they will be closely monitored,” Gullas stated.
Earlier, Año said the government is in the process of identifying quarantine areas for patients manifesting mild symptoms of Covid-19, as well as for the persons under investigation and patients under monitoring.
He said this is aimed at protecting the patients from discrimination.
In Manila, a 35-year-old man was intercepted by fellow residents in his barangay, who refused to allow him to go back to his rented apartment after he tested positive for Covid-19.
An ambulance tried to bring home the man but the residents blocked it.
The residents were pacified after a city councilor intervened. The man was later allowed to enter his apartment unit where he will undergo quarantine. (SunStar Philippines)