Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday urged the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 to strictly implement necessary measures to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Go particularly recommended that local government units (LGUs) must intensify the localized lockdown strategy and the implementation of the Oplan Kalinga to help health workers trace Covid-19 cases.

“We should also strictly enforce guidelines for minimum health standards and provide free masks for the poor,” Go said. “Buying locally-made masks can save or even create jobs, while providing the right kind of masks to those who cannot afford their own will help save lives.”

He said strict implementation of quarantine and health protocols is needed before reopening economic activities.

“Buhay at kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino ang dapat nating palaging unahin (We have to think first the life and welfare of every Filipino),” he added.

Go also appealed to the general public to cooperate and strictly follow health and safety protocols keeping in mind that compliance can save lives.

“The fight against this pandemic begins in us and in our homes. It all starts by properly wearing the right face masks, observing physical distancing and proper hygiene, and avoiding non-essential travels,” he said.

The lawmaker from Davao City said the health crisis will not end unless everyone will learn how to respect others by protecting themselves first from the deadly virus.

“Kung hindi naman kailangan, huwag na po tayo gumala at iwasan nating magkumpol-kumpol sa pampublikong lugar (If not necessary, we should avoid going outside and mass gatherings),” he said.

On Sunday night, President Rodrigo Duterte reverted Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal from general community quarantine (GCQ) to more strict modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) after Covid-19 cases breached 100,000 mark.

Duterte’s decision was also in response to medical front-liners’ call for a “timeout” to prevent the collapse of the country’s healthcare system amid the prevailing health crisis. (PNA)