DOH asks LGUs to help in enforcing safety protocols on election day

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire talks with reporters via Zoom meeting in this file photo taken on April 23, 2020. INQUIRER.net file photo / Daphne Galvez

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) asked local government units on Tuesday to help in enforcing safety protocols against COVID-19 during the May 9 elections.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire noted that voting venues such as schools could get cramped.

“Tayo po ay humihingi ng tulong sa ating local governments na sana po maipatupad natin ang safety protocols sa mga venues na ito,” she said in an online media forum.

(We ask our local governments for help in the implementation of safety protocols in these venues.)

“Magkaroon po tayo ng limitasyon (Let us have limitations), limit as to the number of individuals who can go inside the classrooms to cast their votes also as to the number of individuals who are in the grounds of the schools during election day like those who are giving flyers, those who are being—nagbabantay po ng mga ginagawa d’un sa proseso ng eleksyon (guarding in the process of elections),” she added.

Vergeire said that everyone, from the national  government agencies to individuals in the community, should help one another to avoid making polls a superspreader event.

“Magtulong-tulong po tayo para po wala po tayo magkaroon ng ganitong superspreader events and we can maintain and sustain this alert level na mababa at tuloy-tuloy po tayong patungo sa ating new normal,” she said.

Campaign for the May 9 elections started on February 8 for national candidates.

Vergeire told candidates and the attendees of campaign rallies to wear their masks to avoid COVID-19 infection.

JPV