MANILA, Philippines — A bill seeking to ban discrimination on persons, including health workers and repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who are either confirmed, suspected, or deemed probable cases of the coronavirus disease 2019, was approved on second reading by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. In a vote of ayes and nays, lawmakers okayed House Bill No. 6817 or the “COVID-19-Related Anti-Discrimination Act” that penalizes various acts deemed discriminatory in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also outlaws verbally, physically, or psychologically harassing, threatening or assaulting confirmed, suspected, and probable COVID-19 patients as well as those who have recovered from this disease, including repatriated OFWs and health workers. Moreover, no person can “unreasonably refuse” to honor valid and existing contracts on the basis of COVID-19, the bill added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 27, 2020 13:07 UTC