Mandated and detailed protocols

Unless the three pillars of a working system for 1) testing, 2) tracing, 3) isolation protocols are in place, relaxing quarantines will logically tempt fate. Governance at various levels must be “locked and loaded,” to respond to new case/s of COVID19, particularly in low-risk (zero or near-zero) communities. Critical to easing lockdowns is shortening the cycle of decision and response time from initial suspicion to effective testing, tracing, and isolation. Bureaucratic processes must be simplified.

A spike in PUIs or PUMs must signal immediate re-imposition of a hard lockdown, to prevent another outbreak. A supplemental budget of R1 trillion to R1.4 trillion for stimulus and social amelioration funding is crucial to prevent a dangerous slide of the Philippine economy.

Government protocols must be imposed in a smart, slow, and cautious opening of society. Example: 1) Decontamination booths (water with Lysol mist) outside buildings, malls, etc., prior to entry. 2) Temperature testing. 3) Alcohol for hand sanitizing and foot rugs.

4) Designated waiting area before entry limited to density levels (either 10% of maximum allowable persons or computed by square meter ratio). 5) Floor and wall markings for proper distancing. 6) Social traffic regulating “one way” movement to avoid face-to-face encounters. 7) Alcohol dispensers in hallways, counters, cashier tables. 8) Poster and public address reminders on mask policy, social distancing, etc. 9) Employees assigned to frequent sanitation of held surfaces, e.g., door knobs. 10) Air purifiers and cleaners. 11) Masks, face shields, and gloves for front-line employees. Translucent plastic/ Plexi-glass dividers may be added. 12) Threedigit number for national COVID-emergency reporting.