Pres. Duterte hints at modified quarantine in Metro Manila after May 15
CALOOCAN CITY, April 28 (PIA) -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has hinted on a possible modified quarantine scheme in some parts of Metro Manila after the May 15 expiration of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
"Modified ang quarantine natin so we will allow sectors of society na hindi talaga nagdidikit-dikitan," Duterte said as he addressed a nation Monday, which has so far recorded 7,777 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 511 fatalities, and 932 recoveries. His address, following an Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 meeting, was multicast by the Presidential Communications Operations Office and attached government media.
The ECQ in the National Capital Region, which will lapse on May 15, has already been extended twice since it was first strictly imposed by the Duterte administration on March 17 in order to stem the spread of COVID-19. Currently, under the ECQ, public transportation has been suspended, non-essential businesses closed, and stringent physical distancing is being enforced by the authorities.
"Kaya modified muna eh kasi kung magsiksikan kayo diyan sa LRT na naman, wala nang katapusan ang problema natin. It will never end," he said.
To recall, Metro Manila, the seat of government and home to 13 million Filipinos, was earlier cited as being high risk for COVID-19 transmission after having a higher than 90% probability of having an outbreak, according to health experts.
"We might open partially, construction workers things like that. Lalabas na po yung modified," the President said.
"Modified ang quarantine natin so we will allow sectors of society na hindi talaga nagdidikit-dikitan," he added.
Duterte, however, did not give any details on the possible modified scheme but it is likely after government conducts a thorough high-risk assessment review.
Meanwhile, areas now deemed low risk for COVID-19 transmission and placed under a general community quarantine (GCQ) by the authorities may resume full operations of food manufacturing, food retail, logistics, housing, office services, and e-commerce and delivery, among others.
Public transportation, such as jeepneys, buses, taxis, transport network services and rails, may also resume at a reduced capacity in areas under GCQ. (PIA NCR)
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