Use one-meter stick to visualize social distancing, Duque tells enforcers

MANILA, Philippines — Law enforcers should bring a one-meter stick when patrolling crowded areas to ensure that social distancing is observed, health secretary Francisco Duque III said on Monday.

In an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel, Duque noted the high density of people that are shopping in popular markets such as Divisoria in Manila.

To minimize the number of people in crowded areas, he suggested that law enforcement agencies could demonstrate what one-meter distance looks like.

“Sabi ko nga mag dala sila ng one-meter stick to visualize what one-meter distance looks like,” he said.

(I told them to bring a one-meter stick to visualize what one-meter distance looks like.)

“Hopefully, people’s consciousness or awareness will be implemented,” he added.

The health secretary also urged the people to opt for online shopping instead to minimize physical contact.

“We are pushing for online shopping because that’s the safest mode of shopping nowadays,” he said.

Duque reiterated his earlier warning that there could be an increase of COVID-19 cases during the holiday season.

“It is better to assume that it’s going to go up rather than be complacent and imagining that it’s not gonna go up despite the obvious circumstances that in Christmas, people are really more likely to congregate, go to the malls, to markets,”  he said.

JE