Ramping up of crowd management measures, urged

A local official is calling for the intensified implementation of crowd management measures in the Summer Capital’s public areas like Session Road especially during weekends when visitors usually abound.     

In the regular management committee meeting, December 7, of local officials led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office chief Antonette Anaban said the move is part of the city’s contingency plan against the Covid-19 Omicron variant.

She also urged the continuous monitoring of establishments  for their strict compliance with minimum public health standards  to prevent the spread of the virus.

These are wearing masks, following social distancing, avoiding crowds, opening windows, washing hands, and covering coughs and sneezes.      

Both activities are under the contingency plan’s strict compliance with MPHS priority area, Anaban said, with the city’s Safety Seal and RED Teams to spearhead the implementation.    

Anaban said the plan’s  goals are to suppress transmission;  reduce exposure; protect the vulnerable; reduce mortality and morbidity from all causes , and save lives.     

It’s priority areas are ramp up vaccination of priority groups; stricter border control; continue granular lockdowns; monitoring of critical supplies and equipment; mandatory facility-based isolation/quarantine;  activation of contingency plans of hospitals including their accordion policy.     

Also, to strengthen risk communication; restrictions of unvaccinated individuals in their homes unless with valid reasons; patient transport service; regulate mass/social gatherings; contact tracing; emergency hiring of health workers; tourism events; triage resources; and Covid-19 appropriation, are the other priority areas, she said. – Gaby B. Keith