MANILA - The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday clarified that they are not becoming lax in their fight against the influenza A (H1N1) virus, after revising response rules against the illness.

In a memorandum released June 24, the DOH outlined "major policy changes" in handling the spread of A (H1N1).

Among these major changes are that only patients with sensitive conditions will be given medicine against A (H1N1), and not all confirmed A (H1N1) cases.

Not all patients would also be admitted to hospitals for quarantine, and mild cases will be for home care only.

In order to be admitted to hospitals for confinement and isolation, patients would have to have manifestations of respiratory difficulty, progressively acute illness, and other indications that they belong to "risk groups," or patients at a larger risk when they contract the virus.

Also, only selected patients passing certain criteria will undergo swab testing for the virus, as well as for laboratory diagnosis.

Travelers arriving from countries with confirmed A (H1N1) cases would no longer be required to go on a ten-day self-quarantine anymore and are instead advised to observe themselves for signs of the illness.

On the other hand, patients will only be cleared by the DOH for travel seven days after the fevers have subsided.

The DOH said life must 'go on' despite the presence of the virus.

Lifting of quarantine to favor Arroyo?

However, this new plan is not spared from criticism.

United Opposition head and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay questioned the new directive. Binay said it only favors President Arroyo, who, under the new rules, won't go under quarantine anymore after traveling to Japan and South America.

"I sincerely hope that the DOH decision to lift the mandatory self-quarantine rule was not intended for the convenience of Mrs. Arroyo. Such a move is highly irresponsible as it places the comfort of one person over the welfare of the entire population," he said in a statement.

"We do not claim to substitute our judgment over that of the DOH on these matters, but as responsible government officials, we should make sure that all steps are taken to protect the public," Binay said.

He added that the self-quarantine rule "does not entail any cost on the side of government." "As a matter of policy, I would rather continue its implementation," he said.

Mrs. Arroyo is set to arrive Monday night after visits to Japan, Colombia, Brazil and is now in Hong Kong.

"Policy improvement"

However, Dr. Lyndon Leesuy of the DOH said that they are not being lax on the fight against A (H1N1) with the release of the new rules.

Leesuy said they are even more cautious today, and that the new rules is an "improvement" of policy.

He said the public is still being reminded to be careful and practice proper hygiene to prevent getting and spreading the virus.

CBCP: Masses to continue

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that the Catholic church is not considering the cancelling of masses to avoid the spread of the virus.

"Sa panahon ng anumang paglaganap ng karamdaman o salot, ang Misa ang mas higit na kailangan ng mga mananampalataya ng Simbahang Katolika," CBCP spokesperson Bishop Deogracias Yñiguez said Sunday.

Yñiguez also appealed to churchgoers to practice good hygiene to slow down the spread of the virus. With a report from Atom Araullo, ABS-CBN News