PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar urged the organizers of bazaars and flea markets on Wednesday, November 3, to ensure that health protocols are strictly being observed by their customers to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Eleazar advised pop-up bazaars or “tiangge” organizers to coordinate with the police and their local government units (LGU) for the deployment of safety personnel in their area for the enforcement of public minimum health protocols, such as wearing of face shield and face masks and the observance of physical distancing.
“Mahalaga lalo ang pagsunod sa health protocols partikular na ang physical distancing kung may kinalaman sa pagkain ang event, maski al fresco dining, dahil kinakailangan ditong mag-alis ng face mask,” he said in a statement on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
(Following the health protocols, particularly the physical distancing, is very important, especially that when you eat, even if it’s al fresco dining, you need to take your face mask off.)
“Huwag sana tayo magpakakumpiyansa sa pamimili sa Divisoria o sa mga tiangge lalo’t siksikan. Baka ang mangyari ay nakapamili nga tayo ng mura ay mapapagastos naman tayo ng malaki sa pagpapagamot,” he added.
(Let’s not be complacent when buying in Divisoria or bazaars, as these areas are crowded. What might happen is you spend less on items, but you might end up spending more for treatment.)
The government, particularly the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases, is still studying the possibility of easing quarantine protocols across the country as coronavirus infections continue to go down.
On Tuesday, November 2, the Department of Health reported 2,303 new Covid-19 cases, the lowest in eight months. This brought the country’s total active Covid-19 cases to 40,786.
The country’s positivity rate also went down to 6.8 percent. (SunStar Philippines)