Pinoys told: Hide from COVID, stay home

MANILA, Philippines — National Task Force against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. urged Filipinos to “hide” from COVID-19 and “stay at home” until the virus is contained.

At a presser on Friday evening, Galvez said that strict compliance with the enhanced community quarantine is the people’s best weapon against COVID-19.

He also pleaded for people to strictly observe “social distancing and wear masks at all times” should they be compelled to come out of their houses to buy necessities.

“President Duterte repeated his call to the Filipino nation to strictly follow all the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine or lockdown. His message is simple and clear – let us all hide, let’s hide. What the President meant is that let us all hide inside our house, do not leave our house if not necessary,” Galvez said.

He expressed disappointment that some Filipinos have violated their community lockdowns while the quarantine is still in force.

“There are some who are holding cockfighting on rooftops. People are seen in videos attending parties while others are going to the beach. I think they are not afraid and they don’t have patience and understanding,” Galvez said.

He urged local government units (LGUs) to help the national government in the fight against COVID-19, saying that the LGUs are the key to the efficient implementation of the government’s campaign against the virus. 

“If we really love our family, let’s stay at home. Observe social distancing. If we will go out from our house, out of necessity, wear masks, don’t touch things outside. The success of the government’s campaign against COVID-19 depends on the united implementation of the national action plan against COVID-19 in the provinces, municipalities, cities and barangays,” Galvez said.