The city health office here is stepping up its efforts to prevent the possible local transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) following the declaration of the state of public health emergency, an official said on Tuesday.

“With the declaration of the state of public health emergency, we have to intensify our preparedness together will all the government agencies, not only the health department,” said Gloria Fabrigas, city health officer, in a statement.

Since Feb. 6, arriving passengers from Manila and Cebu at the Tacloban airport are required to fill out the health declaration form and undergo thermal scanning.

Fabrigas said those with symptoms and exposures to areas with travel restrictions are referred to professional health workers for proper management.

The city remains free of Covid-19, with zero admission of suspected carriers.

The city government, through the inter-agency task force, has also ordered all government agencies, business establishments including hotels to provide hand sanitizer for clients.

Posters for proper information dissemination on Covid-19 have also been placed prominently in establishments.

“We cannot say that we should not fear the virus or the other way around. But the best offense is defense,” Fabrigas said, citing health measures to avoid the risk of not only Covid-19 but also other respiratory infections.

She urged the public to practice proper handwashing and cough etiquette.

Social distancing or maintaining at least one meter and wearing of mask, if suffering from a respiratory infection or in contact with one.

Fabrigas said the city has also prepositioned personal protective equipment such as laboratory gowns, goggles, sanitizers, among others.

“We discouraged mass gatherings. Avoid crowded and don’t travel if unnecessary to avoid the risk of contracting the virus,” she said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday declared a state of public health emergency in the country, following the confirmed cases of local transmission of the Covid-19.

The country has 24 confirmed cases of this highly-contagious disease as of Monday. (PNA)