Philippines Eyes Hotels As Quarantine Sites For COVID-19 Patients
PHILIPPINES EYES HOTELS – Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Philippines struggle to find quarantine sites as cases grow.
Previously, the government already used the Athlete’s Village in New Clark as a quarantine site for Persons Under Investigation. This, despite locals being against it.
Now, the Philippine government had been reported to convert some of their facilities as new coronavirus quarantine sites. These may include government facilities, ships, and hotels.
According to a report from ABS-CBN, the Philippine International Convention Center, World Trade Center, and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex would also be utilized.
Based on a statement from Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, these sites would be used as “fully-functional” quarantine facilities.
As per the report, the Department of Public Works and Highways was given the task to coordinate with the private firms. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation was tasked to identify ships to serve as floating quarantine sites.
Additionally, the Department of Tourism was directed to find hotels to serve as quarantine sites in every region in the Philippines as well.
Furthermore, the nominated hotels would be assessed by the Bureau of Quarantine. Following this, the facilities would also be further classified.
This is so the government can identify if a site will be used to quarantine positive COVID-19 patients, Persons Under Monitoring and Persons Under Investigation.
Moreover, the Nograles reminded the Local Government Units to identify quarantine areas in the lower levels such as the provincial, municipal, and barangay levels.
Currently, there have been close to 800,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide. In addition, over 37,000 have died due to the virus. Meanwhile, 165,607 have recovered from it.
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