MANILA – Mayors of Metro Manila are looking to remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) for the entire month of December.
National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the mayors are “very cautious” about downgrading the region’s quarantine status as it could lead to a surge of COVID-19 cases.
“Ang recommendation po ng mga Metro mayors, just in case magkaroon ng easing of restriction, maybe next year, after the holidays,” said Galvez, who also serves as the country’s COVID-19 vaccine czar.
Galvez added that it was highly likely to see a spike in COVID-19 infections as people reunite with their families and friends, but has urged for strict implementation of quarantine protocols.
“Ngayon na talagang may mga sales, magkakaroon po talaga ng pagdagsa ang mga tao sa mga malls,” Galvez said. “Pinapaalalahanan namin ang mga mall owners na magkaroon ng stricter implementation through their marshalls. It is very eminent na tataas talaga ang kaso.”
President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to address the public tonight and announce quarantine classifications for December, his spokesman Harry Roque said.
Metro Manila, which accounts for about a third of the country’s gross domestic product, has been under GCQ since August, with stricter lockdowns enforced in earlier months as COVID-19 infections rose. Under GCQ, only select businesses are allowed to operate at full capacity.
Other areas that were under GCQ until the end of November are Batangas province, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Lanao del Sur and Davao City. Laoag is under modified enhanced community quarantine./PN
