The OCTA research team is expressing their concern over the proposal for the entire country to shift under the Modified General Community Quarantine starting March 1.
Dr. Guido David of the OCTA Research Team told GMA News on Wednesday that they understand the need to boost the economy and the need to open up businesses but it should be gradual and take into consideration the possible risks such as a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases.
“Gusto nating i-balance ang pagbubukas sa risk sa public health. Ayaw rin naman natin na ‘pag nagkaroon ng pagtaas ng bilang ng kaso e mapipilitan tayong bumalik sa ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) o MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine),” David said.
David said that reopening the economy all at once will be a great risk for the country amid the pandemic and without any vaccine rollout actually happening.
“Ayaw na natin bumalik dun kasi mas costly ‘yun sa ekonomiya natin ‘pag nangyari ‘yun and may possibility na mangyari ‘yun kapag nagtake tayo ng masyadong malaking risk,” David said.
David noted that a number of vital establishments are now open under the current community quarantine.
“Kahit naman naka-GCQ tayo marami na tayong binubuksan na economic business sector, dinadagdagan natin. Pwede naman nating dagdagan ang public transportation sa halip na i-increase ang capacity,” he said.
David said they support the reopening of museums, but not arcades due to minimum health standards.
“Kunwari sa museum wala namang nagko-contradict na magbukas ito. May businesses na namo-monitor natin ‘yung pagsusuot ng face mask, face shield ng mga tao. Ang arcade hindi ako kumbinsado. Ano ang madadagdag na kabuhayan nito? Baka marginal, fractional ang madagdag. Hindi malaking significance ‘yan,” he said.
Kaya nirerecommend natin na manatili sa GCQ para may semblance of control tayo in case na…’yung ma-prevent natin ang possible surge,” David added. (TDT)
