CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has requested the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) to provide a foot-operated handwashing facility in public places, especially in public markets, health centers, and sites identified as vaccination centers for the forthcoming COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
This is to help encourage and promote the importance of practicing proper hand hygiene as one of the key cornerstones of COVID-19 prevention.
The City Council also requested the City Health Office to complement this initiative with community-based information and education drive to raise awareness on sanitation and the importance of personal hygiene and handwashing.
Councilor Alvin Dizon sponsored a resolution regarding the matter which was approved by the City Council on Wednesday.
“Making available handwashing and sanitation facilities in public places such as in the barangays, health centers and public markets are vital especially now that we see a sharp increase of our COVID-19 cases,” said Dizon.
Dizon said making a handwashing facility and its promotion is now more critical than ever and the city needs to ensure that people in the communities have access to clean and reliable water supplies and soap to help them prevent infection.
Almost one year into the pandemic, washing of hands with soap remains one of the best defenses against COVID-19, in conjunction with other health and safety measures such as wearing of face mask and face shield, strictly maintaining physical distance and avoiding crowded places, and practicing proper cough etiquette.
As handwashing remains one of the key cornerstones of COVID-19 prevention, Dizon said it needs to become an integral part of one’s daily routine and in the communities as a standard practice to protect the people from the virus and other diseases. — KQD (FREEMAN)