Adjusted protocols for the evacuation of families during natural disasters are being finalized, where health and protection standards are incorporated amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic,  the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Saturday.

NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said,  before the rainy season comes, it should be rolled out already in the  local government units (LGUs).

Timbal said adjusted protocols include minimum health standards as these were done during the evacuation of families affected by Typhoon Ambo.

Basically the point of the  protocols is  to incorporate the protection measures against COVID-19,  Timbal said.

Before people are evacuated, vulnerable people like women, children, persons with disabilities (PWDs), people with special needs, and senior, who are also part of the system, should be identified, Timbal also said.

Timbal said people who are sick will be separated from the rest of the evacuees, will be placed in an isolation room or will be transported directly to a hospital for proper care.

Timbal also reminded on  social distancing, which can be arranged by schedule.

He said disinfection of facilities such as classrooms used as evacuation centers will be conducted after the calamity so classes can resume safely.

The NDRRMC will also encourage those with sturdy houses to shelter some people in their homes temporarily for the duration of the calamity to prevent the concentration of many families inside evacuation centers, he said./Stacy Ang