News Roundup 26 April 2020
Apr 26, 2020 • 2 min Read
‘We cannot go back’: General Community Quarantine is the ‘new normal,’ Malacañang says | PHILSTAR.COM – Malacañang on Sunday said that the general community quarantine hoisted over cities classified as low-risk areas will be the new normal for the time being until a vaccine for the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is developed. President Duterte on Friday approved the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF) recommendation to extend the enhanced community quarantine in high-risk areas, including Metro Manila, until at least May 15.
Nancy Binay: Govt should set precautionary measures before lifting ECQ | INQUIRER.NET – Senator Nancy Binay on Sunday proposed that the government put up precautionary measures first before lifting the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on May 15 to guide the public on how to live under the “new normal.” The lawmaker said the government should be aggressive in its campaign to make sure the public is well informed on preventive measures against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) when the lockdown is lifted. She added that information such as public-private initiated exit plans and strategic transition roadmaps should be well disseminated.
Health worker fined P5,000 by MMDA for backriding in a motorcycle | Manila Bulletin – A female health worker in Quezon City was flagged down when she was caught backriding on her way to work, but was eventually allowed after being issued a traffic violation ticket with a P5,000 fine for violating the social distancing rule. The traffic personnel allegedly told them that they violated the social distancing measure by backriding and issued them a violation receipt, despite their explanation. However, after waiting in vain for 30 minutes, his sister-in-law was eventually allowed to continue backriding with him. “The MMDA personnel told me, ‘Go, bring her to her work, since we have already issued you a ticket,’” Villanueva said, adding that he was even reminded to pay the fine through money remittance center. Villanueva said that they are not against the strict implementation of the measure only if all front liners are given free and accessible service.
53 nabbed as cops raid PARAÑAQUE POGO | The Manila Times – Forty-four Chinese and nine Filipinos were arrested after authorities raided an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Parañaque City on Friday night. Parañaque Police chief Robin King Sarmiento said the arrest was made after law enforcers received a report that some “armed civilians” were loitering in Tambo village in violation of the lockdown curfew. Of those nabbed, 30 were Chinese males, 15 were Chinese females and nine were Filipino males. They were brought to the Parañaque police station for further questioning. Police also seized from them 36 laptops, 17 computer desktops, five guns and P1.3 million in cash. The suspects face multiple charges, including illegal possession of firearms and breaching quarantine protocols.
