Manila moves to protect patients, front-liners

The Manila City Council passed on Thursday the Anti COVID-19 Discrimination Ordinance following reports that patients and medical front-liners were being attacked or evicted from their own homes.

The ordinance aims to protect front-liners, health care workers, volunteers and service workers, patients, persons under investigation and persons under monitoring from stigma, harassment, shame and humiliation.

In particular, these individuals cannot be barred from entering their residences when they provide necessary health clearance.

Violators will be fined with P5,000 and face up to six months in jail. —Nikka G. Valenzuela