BARMM among regions to lift CQ comes May 16, says IATF

By Asangan T. Madale

Cotabato City (May 12, 2020)—The Bangsamoro region—Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City and 63 barangays in North Cotabato—shall no longer be under Community Quarantine (CQ) beginning May 16, 2020, following the issuance of National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Covid-19 Resolution No. 35 on Tuesday, May 11, 2020.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Cabinet Secretary and Bangsamoro Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Covid-19 Spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun announced Tuesday, May 12, that this consideration of National IATF was based on the classification of some regions, including BARMM, as low-risk level of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) transmission.

Pendatun said, “wala po tayong naitalang kaso ng Covid-19 since May 1, 2020, at ito pong development na ito ay ating tinututukan… ang huling kaso ay mula sa Sulu.”(There have been no new recorded cases of Covid-19 in the region since May 1, 2020, but we are still closely monitoring this development… the last case recorded was from Sulu.)

However, in spite of the recent development in the region’s fight against the Covid-19, the Bangsamoro Government reminds its constituents to never be complacent and follow Minimum Health Standards provided by the Department of Health (DOH). “Kahit hindi na tayo under Enhanced Community Quarantine o General Community Quarantine in the coming days, mainam na sundin ang mga minimum health standards base sa direktiba ng IATF particularly na sa Department of Health,” (Even if we are no longer under Enhanced Community Quarantine o General Community Quarantine in the coming days, it would be better if we follow the Minimum health standards based on the directives of IATF, particularly, the Department of Health) said Pendatun.

The Minimum health standards include: 1. increased physical and mental resilience through vitamin intake and exercise; 2. reducing transmission through continuous wearing of Personal protective equipments (PPEs), handwashing, cough etiquettes, disinfecting environment; 3. reducing contact, physical distancing; and 4. reducing duration of infections.

As of May 11, 2020, 6:00 PM, based on the data presented by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), BARMM, has tallied a total of seven (7) probable cases, 284 suspected cases, and 11 Covid-confirmed cases. Out of the 11 confirmed cases, seven (7) have already recovered, four (4) died, one (1) under strict home quarantine, and zero admission in hospitals.

Meanwhile, Regional Darul Ifta’ (RDI) of Bangsamoro has yet to lift its temporary suspension of the congregational prayers, including ‘taraweeh’ and Friday prayers, in mosques due to the Covid-19 onslaught. “Kasalukuyan pong hindi pa nali-lift ang pag-ban temporarily ng congregational prayers or other forms of religious gatherings dito po sa BARMM. Antabayanan po natin kung anuman ang additional guidelines mula sa Regional Darul Ifta,” ("The temporary suspension of congregational prayers and other forms of religious gatherings in BARMM has not been lifted. We will wait for the further guidelines from the Regional Darul Ifta,") stressed Pendatun. 

The Bangsamoro IATF will hold a meeting on May 13, to further discuss and clarify the new guidelines pertaining to the lifting of Community Quarantine in the region.(Edited and Published by Jun Enriquez)