TO PREVENT Covid-19 infection and boost the immune system of all persons deprived of liberty (PDL) inside the lockup cell, the Alcantara Municipal Government in southwestern Cebu has allowed PDL to exercise outside every weekend starting last August.
Mayor Fritz Lastimoso told SunStar Cebu that he initiated the move.
He confirmed that 10 out of 13 PDL were already fully vaccinated against Covid-19 last month.
Lastimoso said he considers PDL vulnerable and susceptible to the novel coronavirus, which has since mutated.
The mayor assured that all PDL are safe and secured since they are handcuffed together and guarded by the jail officers every time they jog and do some stretching exercises in the basketball court across the police station.
They can exercise together during good weather conditions every weekend, he added.
The municipal government continues to provide vitamins, medicines and meals with hot soup every day to the PDL so they can stay healthy.
Lastimoso said one PDL who showed symptoms of tuberculosis was monitored by the Rural Health Unit and had undergone laboratory tests.
The construction of the bigger police station in Alcantara is not yet complete. The municipal government started the project in 2019.
Alcantara had six active Covid-19 cases as of Sept. 5. (MVE)