BANGSAMORO Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim has reminded the residents of BARMM to observe the minimum health standards.
Ebrahim issued the reminder as BARMM is shifting to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) from GCQ effective June 1, 2020 Monday pursuant to Resolution Number 41 of the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“While the quarantine protocols will be relaxed, we still have to be cautious and not let our guards down. Let us protect our communities the way we would protect ourselves and families. The health standards we have now, such as frequent hand washing, maintaining physical distance, and wearing of face masks are for everyone’s safety therefore let us continue observing it,” Ebrahim said.
“This is not to say that the Covid-19 threat has lessened. That’s not it. In fact, as the recent confirmed cases would suggest, it is still there, it is strong, and we should vigilantly follow all the guidelines,” said BARMM Cabinet Secretary and BIATF spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun said as he reiterated Ebrahim’s reminder.
Under the MGCQ, Pendatun said residents of the region of all ages are allowed to leave their homes, given they practice minimum health standards.
He advised the public to limit movement to essential travels or transactions while under MGCQ since “our battle against Covid-19 is not yet over.”
Meanwhile, BARMM Health Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said they have agreed with the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) and Ministry of the Interior and Local Government to deploy a team that will check each arriving passengers, while necessary documentation must be presented for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and to have proper coordination with the respective local chief executives in BARMM.
This, as some of the airline firms have issued notice that they will resume flights in the region as sea, air, and land transportation is allowed under the MGCQ though with limitations in seating capacity and observation of minimum health standards. (SunStar Zamboanga)