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I don't own this site nor moderate the Forum, so this is probably not my business. However I have a sense of fairness (not really a good thing to have in this senseless world) and note that in a thread (which I cannot find now) Mikal used the word 'false' in relation to the IMMEDIATE introduction of a new quarantine pass system by Gov. Delgamo. For that he appears to have been banned.

Depending on how the word 'false' is used or the interpretation of the context in which it was used, he may have 'broken the rules' but in fact the information he commented on was 'inaccurate' at that time. The EO was NOT introduced with "immediate effect" on 5th May.

This was NOT in any way the fault of the original poster as he supplied that information in good faith (if it was @DavyL200 then his expertise is to inform members of legislation before most of us have a clue). It seems someone in the Governor's office jumped the gun.

Mikal has made some excellent contributions in his postings and is no way an ON type (you will remember him!).

Perhaps his ban could be reconsidered if the moderators wish to do so. Or I could volunteer to take his place in the best spirit of 'Spartacus' (hmmm .... although I recall that didn't work out too well).

 

You do not have to go to immigration until this is over... Just in case you did not know

 

English being not my mother tongue, please accept my apologies in advance
Have heard about this forum when I was in Dumaguete in 2016, it was not my first time in the Phils and I'm looking forward to come back asap for holiday, and for retirement in a relatively near future.
It's now about 2-3 years that I've used to read this forum, makes me feel a bit like in holiday and reminds me of the good times here.
I've decided to join as member so at least I can put some emoji as "ratings", see pics in full screen (especially the beautiful ones from "Dr Ski") and eventually put my 2 centavos !
Also in this special covid times, I've learned a lot of things concerning this virus by reading this forum (special thanks to "it's not my real name").
Oh! one last thing (finally !) ; I love to ride motorbike (especially 2 stroke, hence my nickname)... I like to ride on my own or with one or two friends max...so I'm not a big fan of MC Clubs...just saying

 

Seems like it will be up to the governor to make the decision to extend or nor extend the N.O. quarantine. Are there new local virus cases this week?
I would hope, if there is no EQ, certain precautions are still taken, such as masks, social distancing, and if you feel sick go to the hospital. With no mass testing available, peeling the onion might be necessary.
The current Dumaguete entrance system is not sustainable.

 

The biggest game changer will be a vaccine (a year or more away), new drugs (unlikely for a very long time), combinations of existing drugs (many have been stated as effective but none have yet been selected for mass use) ... or knowing if people are immune.

Knowing the immune status is achieved by ANTIBODY testing - up to now testing is for the ANTIGEN (the virus itself) and this tells the person if he is currently infected.

Testing for the antibody will tell the person if he HAS been infected (even if he was not aware as the symptoms were very mild or non-existent). I queried many times on this forum why they were not doing antibody tests but the answer was they didn't have one! Now they have.

So, if people can be identified as immune (but not currently infected) then those people should (hopefully) be able to go out and return to work. No one knows currently how many that is - it could be millions in a country the size of the UK. They can return a country to nearer normality as they can work, go shopping, visiting cinemas etc.

One major problem I can foresee is how to identify them as, obviously, some people not tested will say they are immune (and many people will have self-tested at home)! The pubs will re-open and be filled 'self-declared immune' who are either (i) immune (good - but not tested so they did not know), (ii) uninfected but not immune and (iii) infected. So '(iii)' will be a great danger to '(ii)'.

The other problem is getting hold of the antibody test kits - let's hope all countries can get hold of kits so that we have a better understanding of the level of immunity within a population and can specifically identify those who are now immune.

Btw, there have been cases of recovered individuals who showed symptoms a second time but the evidence is that they are not spreaders. IF immunity is weak or short-lived then we are back to square one.

 

National Enhanced Community Quarantine Unintended Consequences
1. Cebu Pacific(Cebgo) and Philippine Airlines(PAL Express) have shut down all Domestic and International flights to mitigate the spread of Corona 19 virus.
2. The provinces likewise have shutdown the ports which affect inter-island commerce from the shipping lines like 2GO.
3. The airports have shutdown which are under control of the national agency CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines)
4. The goverment owned PhilPost which relies on the airlines and sea for sending and receiving mail and parcels is shut down.
5. The low numbers of Corona 19 cases reported is the result of provinces being unable to receive testing kits and supplies and being cut-off for sending their samples to the University of the Philippines in Manila for analysis.
6. The military is using it's resources fighting insurgents rather than assisting in this crisis.
7. This virus is spread by humans which the National Enhanced Community Quarantine was intended to reduce exposure and it does.
Discussion:
While the National Enhanced Community Quarantine was not intended to impede Commerce it has done just that.
There has to be government/private dialog between the airlines and shipping companies and a mechanism to shoulder the expenses incurred of flying and shipping Cargo Only without passengers. CEBGO is currently making two flights a day from Manila to Cagayan de Oro and General Santos. Restoration of flights to our 7,000+ islands as cargo only is possible but the government has to enable it and shoulder their share of the expense. Bulky or non critical materials could be shipped by sea for ships without passengers.
Policy makers need to consider what we need to improve the National Enhanced Community Quarantine.
shaky

 

For those of you looking to avoid the panic buying lines in the supermarkets, there is now online grocery shopping in Dumaguete. It’s done through an app called Cartspree. Mixed reviews and I have not tried it myself. Some love it and others are complaining that most stocks are unavailable. It’s an option anyway, in case things take a turn for the worse.

 

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/202...ance-suspension-Locsin-coronavirus-COVID.html

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 19)— The Philippines will temporarily stop issuing visas to all foreigners and cancel existing ones amid the global threat of the coronavirus disease, the country's top diplomat said Thursday.

"Starting today, all our Embassies and Consulates will temporarily suspend visa issuance to all foreign nationals as well as the visa-free privileges of all foreign nationals," Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr. tweeted.


Teddy Locsin Jr.

✔@teddyboylocsin

# here it is. Cleared with Berna because this concerns her.


29
5:16 PM - Mar 19, 2020
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"Moreover, all previously issued Philippine visas to foreign nationals are deemed cancelled," he added. "Visas already issued to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals remain valid."


Teddy Locsin Jr.

✔@teddyboylocsin

We are stopping the issuance of visas from all posts abroad and here. This goes one imperative step forward: a total ban on incoming foreign visitors of all nationalities no exceptions. Outgoing foreign visitors should be given all the help to get out. Idiotic to detain them. https://twitter.com/cnni/status/1240520656070103041 …

CNN International

✔@cnni

Starting tomorrow, Australia will no longer allow entry to non-Australian citizens or residents, unless they are direct family members of Australians. https://cnn.it/2wjwOhG
52
4:00 PM - Mar 19, 2020
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Prior to that tweet, Locsin said the government may "consider"suspending visa issuance at least for the month-long quarantine period enforced in Luzon, where the country's main airport is located. He said the agency will consult the Tourism Department about the possible move.

He also earlier said the DFA was looking into halting all visa-free privileges except for neighboring nations in Southeast Asia. His new tweet, however, shows visa-free privilege for visitors from the rest of the 10-member the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will also be temporarily stopped.

Currently, over a hundred countries— including African, European, and South American nations— enjoy the visa-free policy in the Philippines.

The government also earlier imposed travel restrictions on foreign visitors coming from China, Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea's North Gyeongsang province due to growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19. These include the Immigration Bureau's temporary suspension of the visa upon arrival scheme for Chinese nationals.

The rapid spike in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines— which topped 200 as of Thursday— prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to place the entire Luzon under "enhanced" community quarantine.

The directive restricts movement of people, and bans Luzon-wide transportation services including land, air, and sea travel until April 13.

Globally, the infectious disease has affected more than 218,000 people in 158 different countries including China, where the mysterious virus first spread. The death toll from COVID-19 has also reached over 8,800 worldwide— with 17 fatalities recorded in the Philippines.

 

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed 4 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the country on Sunday, March 8.

This brings to 10 the Philippines' total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

The new cases, all admitted in private hospitals, are the following:

A 38-year-old Taiwanese male with no known history of foreign travel, but was in contact with another Taiwanese who visited the Philippines and tested positive in Taiwan. His symptoms started on March 3.
A 32-year-old Filipino male with a history of travel to Japan within the past 14 days. His symptoms started on March 5.
An 86-year-old American male with preexisting hypertension and history of travel to the United States and South Korea. His symptoms started on March 1.
A 57-year-old Filipino male with no known history of foreign travel, but was reportedly in contact with a confirmed case.
In a statement, the DOH said the patients were tested on Saturday, March 7, but results were only released Sunday.

The DOH said it is now investigating all the cases and gathering information from their hospitals, while coordinating with concerned local government units for "infection prevention and control measures."


To stay updated on news, advisories, and explainers, check out our special coverage page, “Novel Coronavirus Outbreak.”

Out of the 10 confirmed cases in the Philippines, 7 are confined, 2 have recovered, while 1 died. The fatality was a Chinese tourist.

President Rodrigo Duterte agreed to declare a state of public health emergency in the Philippines due to the confirmation of local transmission of the virus, upon the request of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

Duque urged the public, especially those who will be contacted by the DOH's surveillance teams, to fully cooperate.

Those with fever or respiratory symptoms and travel history are advised to call (02)8-651-7800 local 1149-1150.

"I call on the public to continue to be vigilant and practice personal preventive measures such as proper hand hygiene, social distancing, and cough etiquette," Duque said, adding that mass gatherings and crowded places should be avoided.

"Only through concerted effort at the community level will we be able to succeed against the threat of the disease." – Rappler.com


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