Metro Manila’s quarantine fate would be discussed next week, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said Saturday.
“Sa darating na linggo, magkakaroon na po ng preliminary review of data kasi mayroon na pong isang linggong nakalipas by then at malalaman po natin kung mananatili ang GCQ (general community quarantine), kung magpi-further relax to MGCQ (modified GCQ) o kung babalik sa modified ECQ (enhanced community quarantine),” Roque said in a Laging Handa briefing.
Metro Manila has been under GCQ since June 1, and will be under the same quarantine measures until June 30 after an order by the President.
Even under GCQ, local government units were given authority to implement localized lockdowns at the level of barangays, zones, roads, subdivisions or buildings.
Meanwhile, Roque said the second phase of the reopening of mass transportation on Monday will give way to “no less than” 3,600 buses and 1,500 other transport vehicles.
“Pero kinakailangan po talaga mag-social distancing dahil wala na pong alternatibo. Kinakailangan siguraduhin natin na 50 percent capacity lang ang mga bus kasi bagama’t kailangan natin ng transportasyon para makapagtrabaho, baka naman iyong kawalan ng social distancing ang maging dahilan para magkasakit at mamatay,” he added.
Metro Manila, still considered as the “Covid-19 epicenter” of the country, has 8,560 active cases, 5,195 recoveries and 799 deaths. (John Ezekiel Hirro)