‘Stop use of thermal scanners, mists at checkpoints’

MANILA, Philippines — Medical experts are urging the police in Metro Manila to discontinue some measures being implemented at quarantine checkpoints to avoid further spreading the coronavirus disease 2019 in communities.

According to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), medical professionals suggested during a meeting last Friday to stop the use of thermal scanners and misting tents at the quarantine control points.

The experts – composed of doctors from San Lazaro Hospital, Sta. Ana Hospital, Chinese General Hospital and the health offices of Quezon City and Muntinlupa City – also recommended a stop to the use of the disinfection tent as “studies show it is no longer effective in the elimination of the (coronavirus).”

In June, doctor and police Capt. Casey Gutierrez died after inhaling disinfectant. He attended to a patient undergoing quarantine at the PhilSports Arena and got sanitized at the misting tent.

After the incident, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered a ban on using disinfection tents by uniformed personnel, as its ability to help kill the coronavirus has not yet been proven.

The doctors also advised the police to make persons who violate quarantine measures engage in community service like cleaning and planting aside from continuously enforcing the minimum health standards like wearing of face mask and face shield as well as physical distancing.

Police stations should also create a health declaration system wherein an assigned officer would monitor the activity, they added.

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas assured that police would “strictly enforce and implement the policies and guidelines” set by the national government and recommended by medical experts to fight COVID-19.