RestartME Advisory 6 - A Call for Safety and Preparedness -

Due to the alarming coronavirus cases in the country, the medical community made a request to implement ECQ as soon as possible. They also shared the following concerns and suggestions[1]:

1.     We need to have a central governing body to implement definite and comprehensive strategies and plans.

2.     The hospital workforce is getting worn out. Both the institutions and hospitals are reaching maximum capacity.

3.     We need to do proper and correct case finding, isolation, contract tracing, and quarantine procedures. Don’t leave this with LGUs. There should be a common platform like a QR code system much like what Baguio, Iloilo and Tacloban implemented. 

4.     Public transport should ensure safety of passengers. Open up bike lanes already. We need to act on this fast.

5.     Ensure workplace safety. Rapid testing should be discouraged. We need to do correct risk assessments to individuals. Earn their trust.

6.     The public deserves to know the current and real situation. We are not getting better. Giving a false of sense of hope makes people complacent thus health measure become more difficult to impose.

The urgency of this request was given to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) for discussion. If acted upon correctly, the ECQ might start tomorrow, August 3, 2020 and will have a two week run (mid-August).

RestartME shares the plight of the medical community and recommends the following measures for our partner MFIs and their clients :

a.     Should we continue with GCQ, MFIs must make sure to move with more precaution in their operations. The health of both staff members and clients should be of utmost priority. Everyone should be mindful of safety protocols (face masks, face shields, sanitizing the body and the surroundings, and social distancing) when doing business transactions. MFIs are also requested to share vital information of our current situation to their clients to spread awareness and caution.

b.     Should we revert to ECQ, MFIs can initiate their back up plans to continue operations (skeletal force). We recommend going digital to train our personnel to be more adaptive to change. Make sure to share vital information to clients and make everyone aware of the current situation so as to be more prepared with what’s happening.

With the pandemic being far from over, MFIs are requested to be more resilient and adaptive to change. Proceed with extra caution and always put the safety of each individual first. By knowing and sharing the correct information, we do our part in minimizing the risks of this pandemic.  

RestartMe is always here to provide information and support to our partner MFIs.  

[1] Taken from the official Facebook page of Vice President Leni Robredo: https://www.facebook.com/1003057789/posts/10219918764211818/?d=n