Makati health, rescue personnel on high alert

MAKATI Mayor Mar-len Abigail Binay on Thursday placed all city health and rescue personnel on high alert over the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019nCoV ARD) threat.

Binay said infrared thermometers were being used to scan city employees and visitors entering the city hall as well as barangay (village) health centers.

She added that rescue, engineering and health personnel had started work to convert the city’s Friendship Suites, initially used as a hostel, into an isolation facility for those found positive with the 2019-nCov ARD.

Meanwhile, the city administrator, acting on Binay’s orders, directed all business and commercial establishments, including Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), to immediately submit a list of employees who recently visited mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau or have their business permits revoked.

“This global health emergency compels us to institute long-term solutions that will strengthen our capability to effectively respond to similar crises in the future. Our immediate concern now is to put in place needed systems, protocols and resources to ensure we are covering all the bases in preventing the transmission and spread of the novel coronavirus in the city,” Binay said.

She urged owners and management of establishments in the city, including hotels, condominiums, malls and POGOs, to cooperate with the city government in the implementation of preventive measures.

“These times demand a unified and coordinated action from all sectors. The city government appeals to all our stakeholders to cooperate and support policies and measures being undertaken to avert a health crisis in our city,” she said.

Binay ordered the inspection of establishments, especially POGOs, hotels and condominiums, to monitor the implementation of protocols and preventive measures set by the Department of Health.