President Duterte urged the public to observe health protocols as the country’s initial vaccine supply to prevent the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will only arrive as early as March.
Duterte made his call Monday night as the pandemic has taken “another dangerous turn” following the detection of a new coronavirus strain abroad.
“Itong bagong strain ngayon is they say more dangerous. It can cause a rapid mutations, another mutations, another mutations and mankind is in the bind looking for the new vaccine of the new strain,” he added.
Until the vaccine supply arrives in the country, Duterte said people should continue to wear masks and follow other health measures to avoid the infection.
He also advised against skirting the government’s travel restrictions to prevent the entry of the new COVID strain in the country.
“We are in danger of getting the COVID-19,” Duterte said. “And when you get the COVID-19, be you a soldier, civilian, nandiyan ka sa garbage collector, or minister ka ng relihiyon ninyo, walang ano protection except that you have to wear the mask,” he added.
The President wore a face shield and mask when he met with officials on the country’s pandemic response in Davao City Monday night. He took off the protective gear when he started to deliver his remarks to the public. “I cannot talk also if the thing is covering my mouth. I cannot seem to express what I want to say in my heart,” he explained.
The government recently imposed travel restrictions on 21 countries and territories affected by the new COVID strain to block the entry of the virus into Philippines. The more contagious variant, first detected in the United Kingdom, has rapidly spread to other countries.
As community quarantine remained in effect across the country, the government has started to negotiate with foreign vaccine makers for the country’s supply. At least P72.5 billion allocation has been included in the 2021 national budget for the acquisition of the vaccines.
The government earlier announced that around 24.6 million Filipinos, initially frontline health workers, will be given priority in its free vaccination program to fight the new coronavirus disease.
The list of beneficiaries also includes indigent senior citizens, other senior citizens, indigent population, and uniformed personnel.
