DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Monday, November 23, 2020, that wearing face masks and face shields is not enough to protect a person against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in crowded areas.
“Nakita po namin iyong mga litrato noong weekend, kung gaano kasikip. Gusto nating ipaalala sa ating mga kabababayan, nariyan pa rin ang (Covid-19) virus. Ang virus, naihahawa kapag naroon ka sa lugar na talagang siksikan,” Vergeire said a virtual press conference.
“Kahit po kayo ay naka-mask at naka-face shield pero kayo naman ay pumupunta sa matataong lugar na halos dikit-dikit na po kayo, maaari pa rin kayong mahawa,” she added.
Vergeire made the statement after Christmas shoppers flocked to Divisoria in Manila and Baclaran in Pasay City over the weekend.
She said this is why gatherings are prohibited.
“The risk is there. Kaya iwasan po ang pagpunta sa matataong lugar kung maaari po,” Vergeire said.
“Ang risk ng pagkahawa hawa ay napakalaki kapag tayo ay nakakapunta sa mga lugar na maraming tao katulad noong nangyari noong weekend,” she added.
Meanwhile, PNP Chief Debold Sinas said he has ordered the augmentation of police forces in the said areas to ensure observance of health protocols and prevent the spread of Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
“So ang guidance ko kay (Manila Police District director Brigadier General Rolando Miranda) is to add more people doon at sawayin na sila at magdeploy ng mga social distancing patrollers niya sa lugar na yun,” he said.
“’Yung strecth na yung nandun yung daming tao, sasakyan at tindahan. Direct ko na lang siya na kausapin ‘yung barangay doon, tulungan sila para ma-implement ‘yung social distancing,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)