Go says health protocols apply to all

MANILA, Philippines — In order to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Bong Go emphasized that all COVID-19 health and safety protocols being enforced by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) must apply to all, without favoring certain groups and individuals.

This comes after various incidents recently went viral and earned public ire over alleged violations of pandemic protocols.

“Nobody is being favored by government when it comes to health protocols. All Filipinos are encouraged to follow. Equality without exceptions because every Filipino life is important,” Go said.

“If we want to recover quickly from this pandemic, we all need to follow rules because our lives and our loved ones are at stake here,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go urged the proper authorities to investigate incidents and hold responsible those involved, where possible violations have been admittedly made.

“Many of our countrymen are already suffering. Let’s not allow the stubbornness of a few to become a burden for many. Just a reminder, if you want to put your life at risk, don’t involve others because our entire health system is in jeopardy if many fall sick,” said Go.

“Many are complying now – those who want to live. But there are still few out there who are hardheaded and don’t want to wait for the return of the old normal,” he added.

Go emphasized that such incidents must serve as a wake-up call for all Filipinos to strictly comply with health protocols, especially now that cases of the COVID-19 variant, B117, have been reported in the country.

“Let this serve as a lesson for all. Let us not be complacent because COVID-19 is still here. The new variant that is said to be more contagious compared to the old variant is here as well,” Go advised.

“Let’s take care and be responsible citizens. The simple act of following rules will save the life of others,” he added.

As the government targets to immediately start its vaccination program, Go continued to stress the need to strengthen the enforcement of health and safety protocols imposed by the government to stop the further spread of COVID-19.

Earlier, Go said that the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant should be a cause for concern as he urged concerned government agencies to closely monitor developments before deciding to relax restrictions further.

“The government is balancing everything, especially reopening, because many businesses that closed down need to resume operations. Our government finance managers are weighing things carefully. But for me, the life of every Filipino is the most important,” he said.

“The key here is the vaccine. We haven’t started vaccinations and yet we relax. We will play catch up again if this new variant spreads,” Go added.

Go emphasized that cooperating with authorities can save lives as he warned those who will attempt to violate or skirt protocol that the government will not tolerate such actions.