AN OFFICIAL of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force said confirmed coronavirus-positive patients will not be able to vote in the upcoming national and local elections next week, May 9, 2022.
“As of today, dili sila pwede makagawas (They are not allowed to go out) because they are isolated and we cannot compromise the entire population of Davao city for those infected individuals,” Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said during a radio interview on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.
According to Schlosser, Davao City has 24 active cases as of May 4 that are admitted to isolation facilities and hospitals for the duration of their recovery. They are not allowed to be released during Election Day.
“I don’t think they are also, kining mga (these) infected individuals, fit na magpila kay lain man ilang paminaw (are fit to queue in line because they are not feeling well). They are actually sick,” she said.
Schlosser added, “As of today na siya, that might change kay naa pa man days (because we still have remaining days). But as of today, wala gyud ta chance na makagawas atong isolated (There is no chance for those infected to be temporarily released), infected Covid-19 positive patients para makabotar (to vote).”
For voters who will manifest symptoms of Covid-19 or influenza-like illnesses (ILI) such as high temperature but are not confirmed cases, each voting center will have a designated Isolation Polling Precinct wherein they can still cast their votes.
Schlosser said personnel from the Department of Health (DOH)-Davao and the Covid-19 Task Force will monitor voters on Election Day.
“Katong dili confirmed, wala’y exposure sa Covid-19 positive, wala na-swab but they are manifesting symptoms, they will be doing that... we have that to make sure na ma-properly isolate ang mga naa’y sintomas,” Schlosser said.
(We will be doing it to those who are not confirmed cases, have no exposure to Covid-19, and have not been swabbed. We need to make sure we isolate those who have symptoms.)
According to Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Davao Assistant Regional Director Atty. Gay Enumerables, voters with temperature exceeding 37.5 degrees will be directed to the isolation polling place.
Voters are also mandated to wear face masks and practice social distancing. Face shields are not required.
“As to rules for voters, they are mandated to wear face masks at all times, maski gapila, ga fill-up (even when you are lined up or filling out forms). Also, have a safe distance of one meter apart,” she said.
Schlosser added that although social distancing was lifted in Davao City under Executive Order No. 11 Series of 2022, it will be required during Election Day as a safety precaution against high-risk transmissions.
“For this event, kinahanglan ang (we need to have) social distancing to ensure that there is no possibility of high risk of transmission,” she said.
Covid-19 patients who will violate their isolation and quarantine restriction will be subject to consequences under the Republic Act. No. 11332 Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.