Philippines: Authorities extend COVID-19 restrictions through November 30 /update 38

Event

Filippinio authorities have announced that some restrictions previously implemented in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been extended until at least November 30. Under the extension, the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) will now be in effect until November 30, in the National Capital Region, as well as in the Batangas (Calabarzon region) and Lanao del Sur (Bangsamoro Autonomous region) provinces. Additionally, Bacolod, Iloilo (Western Visayas region), Tacloban (Eastern Visayas region), and Iligan (North Mindanao region) will also continue to implement the GCQ.

COVID-19 restrictions in the metro Manila area have been extended until at least October 31. Manila will remain in the general community quarantine GCQ. The wearing of face masks and social distancing and hygiene measures remain in place. Nonessential gatherings remain banned and essential gatherings have been limited to no more than five people.

As of Wednesday, October 28, there have been 375,180 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines and 7114 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhoea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.