Opening of malls, non-essential establishments worries DOH

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 9 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH)-10 expressed some worries on the reports that some malls and non-essential establishments in the city would open starting May 8.
 
In an exclusive interview with the DOH-10 assistant regional director, Dr. David Mendoza, he said his office is a bit worried on the reopening of malls and "non-essential establishments" while the city is still under the general community quarantine (GCQ). "The non-essential establishments should be closed,” he said.

He explained that the DOH is still fighting for the flattening of the curve of COVID-19 cases by implementing the non-pharmaceutical intervention since "this virus has still no clinically proven treatment and vaccine." This non-pharmaceutical intervention is dependent on the people who must stay at home so the chance of contracting the virus is nil.

A person should only go out to buy the essentials such as foods and medicines, and observe social distancing. "The purpose of this is to prevent a person with symptoms from infecting others, thereby killing the virus and avoiding a surge of infected individuals," Mendoza explained.

It is also important to observe proper handwashing, coughing etiquette and the guidelines set by the local government units (LGUs) and DOH. 
 
"If we all work together and not lower our guard, we can defeat the threat of COVID 19," he quipped, adding "neither the DOH nor the LGU is the key to winning this battle against COVID-19 but all of us."

The whole-of-government approach is needed to flatten the curve and control the surge of COVID-19 cases, Mendoza stressed.(JAKA/PIA10)

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