DOH 7’s Loreche: Voters must check candidates’ adherence to health protocols

VOTERS must evaluate if their chosen candidates have religiously followed the minimum public health standards set by the government amid the Covid-19 pandemic.They must ask themselves if their chosen candidates wear face masks during campaign sorties and adhere to rules for physical campaigns set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).This was what Dr. Mary Jean Loreche of the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH 7), told SunStar Cebu after learning several local and national candidates in the May 9, 2022 elections have violated the health protocols in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.Loreche, the DOH 7 chief pathologist, said local and national candidates must lead by example because they would become leaders if elected.“If such a simple but life-saving measure like that wearing of face masks is not followed during a campaign sortie that may endanger people’s safety from Covid-19, it should give one a pause in his/her choice of the candidate,” she said.AdmissionComelec Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Jerome Brillantes earlier had admitted that many candidates violated the minimum health protocols such as social distancing. Shaking hands and taking of selfies are not allowed by the Comelec, but there were candidates who violated these rules.Brillantes have encouraged concerned citizens to file cases against erring candidates before the Comelec and bring with them enough evidence for investigation.Last Nov. 24, the poll body issued Comelec Resolution No. 10732, which sets restrictions on physical campaign activities amid the Covid-19 pandemic.Based on the guidelines, participants must wear face shields during the campaign sorties over their face masks.As for the wearing of face shields, Brillantes said they will only strictly implement the wearing of face shields should the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) require it again. Last November, President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the mandatory use of face shields in areas under Alert Levels 1-3.All forms of physical contact such as hugging, shaking hands with people as well as posing for selfies or group pictures that require close proximity among the companions are also not allowed.Brillantes said house-to-house visits or campaigns are also prohibited even if there is consent from homeowners.Distribution of food and drink and other food items are not allowed as well.Apart from that, campaign organizers should also observe the maximum capacity allowed during the campaign sorties depending on the Alert Level status in the local government units.For areas under Alert Level 3, participants including the candidates’ staff, would be limited to only 50 percent for enclosed outdoor only while 50 percent for both indoor and outdoor in venues or areas under Alert Level 2, and 70 percent in areas under Alert Level 1.There is no limit of campaign staff who would like to join their candidates in areas under Alert Level 1, but only five staff are allowed to accompany in areas under Alert Level 2 while only three staff are allowed in Alert Level 3.