Remulla says no to hard lockdown: Effects outweigh the benefits

Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla. INQUIRER file photo / RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla on Monday morning said that he “vehemently opposes” the reimposition of a hard lockdown amid the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases, saying its effects “outweigh the benefits.”

Remulla said this despite acknowledging that the Omicron variant of concern may be the most contagious variant thus far.

“I will vehemently oppose any lockdowns, our policies must be based on reality and humanity [economic and welfare]. The effects of a never-ending lockdown outweigh the benefits,” said Remulla in a Facebook statement.

Instead of implementing a lockdown that disrupts businesses and jobs, the governor said that the public may assist in slowing the spread of the virus by following stringent health measures.

“Naniniwala akong malalagpasan natin ang lahat ng pagsubok na ito. We must make the effort to be responsible, knowledgeable and disciplined to mitigate the spread of the virus,” Remulla said.

(I believe we can overcome all these trials. We must make the effort to be responsible, knowledgeable, and disciplined to mitigate the spread of the virus.)

Remulla said this after reporting that Cavite currently has the highest number of active COVID-19 cases in Calabarzon at 4,273. The majority of the cases, however, are mild or asymptomatic.

https://www.facebook.com/JonvicRemullaJr/posts/469402997884907

Metro Manila mayors have earlier also deemed unnecessary the imposition of the more restrictive alert level 4.

COVID-19 cases in the country, on the other hand, continue to rise exponentially with the health department earlier reporting another all-time high of daily new cases at 33,169.

Active infections nationwide currently number 157,526, and the confirmed total at 2,998,530.

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