Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday reiterated his call for authorities to continuously adopt necessary travel restrictions and strictly implement health protocols to prevent the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) strain from entering the country as the more contagious variant spreads to more countries around the world.

“Nasa balita na mas kumalat pa ang bagong strain ng COVID-19 sa mas maraming bansa sa mundo. Huwag nating hayaang umabot ang bagong strain na ito sa ating bansa,’’ Go said. (It is in news that the new COVID-19 strain has spread to more countries in the world. Let us prevent the new strain from entering the country.)
 
The Philippines has already suspended all flights from 21 countries affected by the new COVID-19 strains. However, Go emphasized the need to expand this further as reports come in of more countries being affected by the new variant. 
 
“Kung gaano kabilis kumalat ang sakit na ito, mas mabilis pa dapat ang aksyon natin para proteksyunan ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Matuto na tayo sa pinagdaanan natin noong nakaraang taon. Sabi ko nga, lessons learned na ito,’’ he said. (We should act faster than the spread of the disease in order to protect the lives of the Filipinos. We have already learned our lesson from our experience last year. As I have said this is already a lesson learned.) 
 
Go emphasized the need to constantly monitor the developments in other affected countries and ensure that mechanisms are in place to protect lives of Filipinos here in the country, and everywhere in the world.
 
“Kailangang regularly ma-review ang mga patakarang ipinapatupad natin. Huwag natin hayaan maunahan pa tayo ng pagkalat ng sakit,’’ he explained. (We need to regularly review the guidelines we are implementing. We should not allow the disease to come ahead of us.)
 
According to reports, the new COVID-19 strain, named as B.1.1.7, has spread already to 34 countries from an initial list of 21 countries.
 
“Habang ginagawa natin ang lahat para malampasan ang krisis at mabigyan ng ligtas na bakuna ang mga kababayan natin, gawin rin natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya para hindi na dumagdag sa problema natin ang bagong strain ng COVID-19,’’ Go pointed out. (While we are doing everything to overcome the crisis and provide safe vaccine to our countrymen, let us also do everything within our means to prevent this new strain of COVID-19 from becoming as an additional problem to us.)
 
Go emphasized that the country could not afford another problem of dealing with a new strain of COVID-19 as efforts and resources are already spread out in dealing with the current impact of the pandemic. 
 
The senator from Davao warned the public that the guidelines being imposed by the government is for the safety of everyone and there should be no exemptions to the rules since the health and well-being of every Filipino should be the primordial concern. 
 
“Mayroong balita na may iilang humihingi ng exemption sa travel ban o sa quarantine measures. Huwag niyo unahin ang sarili ninyo, unahin niyo ang kapakanan ng nakararami,’’ Go warned. (There are reports that some people were asking for exemption from the travel ban or from the quarantine measures . Do not prioritize yourselves, you must prioritize the welfare of the majority.) 
 
“Walang mapapalusot kahit sino. Pantay pantay ang patakaran. Walang pili — mayaman o mahirap. Para naman ito sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. Buhay ng bawat isa ang unahin natin,’’ he warned. (No one will be spared. The guideline is for all, whether you are poor or rich. This is for the interest and welfare of every Filipino. Let us prioritize the lives of everybody.)
 
This came after anonymous reports reached the senator of attempts of some individuals to skip certain guidelines imposed by the government on travelers. 
 
“Kinausap ko ang Pangulo at magbibigay siya ng babala. May nag-report sa amin na gusto lumusot sa quarantine. Kung may mapatunayan na korap o nagpapalusot, dapat pasagasaan kayo ng eroplano!’’ Go exclaimed. (I have talked to the President and he will issuing a warning. Somebody reported to us that some people wanted to skip quarantine procedures.)
 
He then reminded the public to continue to follow health protocols as advised by the government.