MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday advised families to “best try” physical distancing or wear face masks even in their homes if they cannot prevent being physically close to other household members.
In an interview with GMA News’ Unang Hirit, Año said the public should remember that the transmission of the virus can also happen between family members.
“Dapat ang best try ay gawin nila. Ang pinaka-importante dyan, kung talagang hindi nila maiiwasan, talagang magsuot sila ng mask. Advisable din ‘yung face shield dyan,” said Año.
(If they cannot prevent being close to each other, they should wear face masks. Wearing face shields is also advisable.)
“Ang importante rin, ‘yung mga elders na kasama natin sa bahay dapat maprotektahan sila. Dapat talaga nakasuot sila ng mga mask, ‘yung mga mahihirap, at kung hindi pupwede, lahat talaga magstay at home,” the Interior chief added.
(The elderly that live with us should also be protected. Poor families should wear face masks and if that can’t be done, they should just stay at home.)
Año also said that family members who go to markets and to their offices should likewise wear face masks and practice physical distancing at their respective houses.
This advice from Año comes after National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. noted that workplaces in economic hubs and informal communities are the most critical areas for the transmission of the virus.
The government earlier reverted the quarantine status in Metro Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Rizal, and Laguna to modified enhanced community quarantine from August 4 to 18 following the request of the medical community to impose stricter lockdowns in the National Capital Region and nearby areas.
The country has already recorded a total of 129,913 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with additional 3,109 cases reported on Sunday. Of the confirmed cases, 59,970 are active cases, 67,673 are recoveries and 2,270 are deaths.