THOSE who violate rules on the enhanced community quarantine are rendering useless the efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
They have become more than a pet peeve to those enforcing quarantine rules; they are already a threat to public safety and well-being. In the early days of the quarantine, only a few cars were on the streets and persons by the roads were mostly those in medical uniforms waiting for rides to work or home.
Last Holy Week, people flocked to Carbon market ignoring distancing to buy ingredients for binignit, that Holy Week fare with yummy ingredients, or went to fastfood outlets to bring home some food. As the quarantine stretches to almost a month now, residents are getting impatient and desperate that they take the risk of violating rules.
With these violations, Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella wants those who ignored physical distancing, masks and stay-at-home orders to do community service which may include sweeping roads and picking up garbage. If this pushes through, the community service should comply with quarantine and distancing rules. Other government units are insisting on the filing of charges and stringent implementation.
How do others implement their own quarantine rules? Here are the ways some countries are doing it.
In Canada, the police were told to go house-to-house to check on occupants and ensure that they are staying home as required. Violators are threatened with a fine and prison term. Arrests, however, would be the last resort with the officers assessing the risk posed by violators. They may be brought to court to explain themselves. But, its officials said, the emphasis in the house visits is education and encouragement.
Our version of that practice could be a different kind of tokhang (“toktok hangyo” or knock and persuade house occupants to refrain from illegal activities) used in the drive against illegal drugs. This time, it could be to knock on doors and persuade occupants to stay home.
In South Korea, its government will require violators to wear tracking wristbands. There will be no law to require them to wear those electronic wristbands but the government would encourage targeted individuals to use them as part of their “active cooperation.” The device would be able to track if the person leaves the house and where the person goes.
Singapore did not have a blanket quarantine order but came up with different categories. A quarantine order is for those who are confirmed or suspected of having the Covid-19. It is a strict measure and, for those on home quarantine, authorities would do spot checks. Next is a stay-home notice where people who may have come in contact with the virus are prevented from leaving their homes. Last is the leave of absence where they should remain at home but may be allowed to go out to buy essentials.
The lessons from South Korea and Singapore are that clarity and appeals for cooperation help in understanding and compliance.