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To be safe and healthy, the Pontificio Collegio Filipino in Rome issued guidelines and safety measures on how to avoid exposure and sickness amidst the spread of COVID-19 in Italy.
According to the guidelines issued by Rev. Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston, Rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filipino and coordinator for the Pastoral Care of the Overseas Filipino Community in Italy, achieving health for all means doing what is best for the community.
“As we live in a community, every member is obliged to consider how his exposure would affect the rest of the community. This includes diligence in all personal sanitary procedures, decisions about travel and obedience to any restrictions or quarantines should they occur.”
A. PREVENTIVE MEASURES
1. Remain in a good health to resist sickness: get plenty of sleep, remain hydrated.
2. Avoid traveling to the areas with known infections and crowded areas.
3. Avoid unnecessary travels if possible.
4. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
6. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
7. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
8. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
B. AWARENESS OF SYMPTOMS TO AVOID SPREAD OF THE VIRUS
If you develop symptoms that include: Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath, the PROCEDURE below shall be followed:
1. Isolate yourself in your room and inform the rector about your condition.
2. Refrain from common areas.
3. Do not seek treatment on your own outside the Collegio; the city of Rome has instructed that testing would take place in one location to which you would be directed.
4. Further decisions on treatment and/or isolation will then be made.
5. Don’t go to the hospital otherwise you might infect others (or vice-versa). Instead, the Italian health authority will come to check you.
C. OTHER CONCERNS
1. The community will comply with any civilly mandated restrictions on gatherings and travel. Any failure to comply could result in quarantine within or outside the house. This would include all activities outside the Collegio including Masses with the Filipino communities and other religious communities.
2. Individual priests are responsible in checking some updates as indicated by the dioceses in their respective websites.
3. During the daily celebration of the Liturgy, it is recommended that we use some other gestures/signs of peace giving instead of the usual hand shake. Further, holy water fonts will be emptied with holy water until further notice.
Please note that the health of other Collegio residents may well depend on our observance of this procedure.
