Philippines police threaten social distancing violators with caning

 

FILE PHOTO: Filipinos wearing masks and face shields for protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) walk along a street market in Manila, Philippines, December 3, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo

 

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine police on Friday threatened to cane people who violate social distancing protocols as the Southeast Asian nation fights the spread of the coronavirus during the festive season.

 

The Philippines celebrates one of the world's longest Christmas seasons, starting as early as September, and crowds have started to flock to sprawling malls and shopping centres despite the pandemic.

 

Police general Cesar Binag, commander of the coronavirus task force, told a news conference that police and soldiers would patrol in public areas in the capital Manila, the hotspot of COVID-19 cases, carrying 1 meter rattan sticks to measure distancing.

 

"It can be used to cane the hardheaded," Binag said, adding that the "social distancing patrols" would focus on high-traffic areas such as transport hubs and public markets.

 

The plan will likely raise eyebrows with human rights advocates who have criticised the government's militaristic approach to the pandemic.

 

Authorities have apprehended, warned and penalised around 700,000 people since March for violating measures such as ignoring physical distancing and not wearing masks, police data shows.

 

President Rodrigo Duterte imposed one of the world's strictest and longest coronavirus lockdowns in mid-March, grinding the economy to a halt. Restrictions were partially removed in June to allow more businesses to reopen.

 

For the holidays, the government banned Christmas parties, family reunions and carol singing outside homes, while an earlier plan to allow minors to visit to shopping malls was scrapped.

 

With more than 436,000 infections and around 8,500 deaths, the Philippines has the second highest COVID-19 cases and casualties in Southeast Asia, next to Indonesia. The Philippines has a population of 108 million.

 

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Alison Williams)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-12-05

 

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I for one welcome this idea to be installed asap here in the states.....adding non mask wearers to that list.

 

 

Wow a sheeple up early today. If you wish to wear a muzzle it is upto you and shouldn't be ridiculed for stupidity. Just for the cheap seats Masks do not stop a virus! OMG how many times do the sheeple have to be told using a chain link fence wont stop a mosquito.  So sad, so very very sad. 

38 minutes ago, Scot123 said:

Wow a sheeple up early today. If you wish to wear a muzzle it is upto you and shouldn't be ridiculed for stupidity. Just for the cheap seats Masks do not stop a virus! OMG how many times do the sheeple have to be told using a chain link fence wont stop a mosquito.  So sad, so very very sad. 

Another TV epidemiologist geezus the ignorance about Mask , even though Science proves it , you are part of the problem  for the epidemic , Sadly look in mirror 

 

       

The next step will be live bullets. These folks must be used to it by now. 

Having such an excellent president who kills drug users is one thing.

 

But talking to "teachers" in Thailand who are proud of that is another thing.

 

It's better not to write the truth; it would be like a catapult for me. 

Several off-topic troll posts have been removed.

I thought masks were for you can't social distance. There are times it isn't possible. There is an analogy i can make but it will go off topic so i'll leave it but at least trying something is better than total neglect

13 hours ago, Ireland32 said:

Another TV epidemiologist geezus the ignorance about Mask , even though Science proves it , you are part of the problem  for the epidemic , Sadly look in mirror 

Please link that peer reviewed scientific study that shows homemade masks preventing the spread of an airborne virus. Or are you just another TV epidemiologist? Btw, I do where a mask, so don’t go there...

14 hours ago, Scot123 said:

Wow a sheeple up early today

 

sheeple is so mid 2000's 

I don't think I've ever met more petty folks before...

 

Wear a mask! Consider others!

 

No Christmas carols!? No wonder there are so many teaching here!

22 hours ago, rooster59 said:

"It can be used to cane the hardheaded,"

the philippines, a muslim country? i thought most of filipinos were christians