Due to the COVID-19 wave, safety and health protocols must be reviewed and tightened as well as the restrictions, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Friday, Dec. 30.

Heightened protocols must be implemented to protect Filipinos from travelers coming from countries with rising cases, particularly in China.

“Bago sana lumarga ang Pangulo sa planong state visit sa China, kailangang magtakda muna ang administrasyon ng karagdagang layers of health security and safety protocols para sa mga turistang papasok sa Pilipinas ngayong bagong taon,” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros reiterated the government to 'learn from the lessons of the past' and not repeat the mistake from the recent surge.

According to her, discussions regarding the safety and health of the Filipinos must be addressed as well as government response.

“Pag-aralan na rin dapat ng Malacañang ang iba’t-ibang paraan para na rin sa kaligtasan at kalusugan ng mamamayang Pilipino. Kailangan nating masiguradong may sapat tayong kakayahan para tumugon sa kakailanganing testing, tracing at treatment," she said.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases is set to discuss guidelines regarding border control for Chinese travelers.