ILOILO City – The city government submitted a letter on Tuesday to the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) appealing for a lower quarantine classification for Iloilo City which is currently under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
“We appeal for general community quarantine (GCQ) but with heightened health protocols,” Mayor Jerry Treñas stressed.
One of the mayor’s goal: Businesses should start recovering – with the safety standards against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) still in place.
“We need to always wear mask properly, wash hands, sanitize with alcohol, maintain one-meter distance, disinfect, and open windows for ventilation,” he added.
Yesterday, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the NIATF’s earlier recommendation extending this city and Iloilo province’s MECQ status until July 15. The rest of Western Visayas would meanwhile shift to GCQ for the entire July.
Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that local government units (LGUs) could still appeal.
WHY GCQ?
In his letter, Treñas cited these reasons why the NIATF should downgrade Iloilo City’s status:
* downward movement of Iloilo City’s daily coronavirus cases
* aggressive vaccination of priority residents
* manageable capacity utilization rate
* effective protocols imposed in lowering COVID cases
* Iloilo City COVID-19 Team being active and decisive with regards to pandemic response
Once the appeal is approved, Treñas said he would ease the seating capacity in establishments such as restaurants, and open up spas, massage clinics and gyms.
Data (as of June 28) from the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 6 showed the city with 10,707 total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 2,319 were active, 8,110 have recovered and 275 dead.
ROQUE MAY ARRIVE BY THURSDAY
Treñas also announced that Roque might be visiting the city to deliver 50,000 doses of vaccines and other medical equipment.
Roque would be accompanied by DOH undersecretary and treatment czar Leopoldo Vega.
In a statement last week, Treñas said he was informed by Roque and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on the visit with the needed “supplies and solutions” to the city’s COVID situation.
The mayor has chosen the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand as the venue for the vaccine turnover.
Several governors, including Iloilo’s Arthur Defensor Jr. might also arrive to participate in the turnover./PN
