DILG mulls GCQ in some NCR cities

FILE: Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday (Oct. 11, 2019) (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – Some cities in the National Capital Region could be placed under a general community quarantine (GCQ) soon, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Thursday.

“There are cities in (Metro) Manila that may be ready for a GCQ,” Año said in a television interview.

The GCQ is being implemented in all low- and moderate-risk areas nationwide.

The decision to place other areas under GCQ would depend on the rate of infection, health capacity, and economic factors.

Año said data on these matters should be evaluated by the cities.

He said among cities that have an improving situation in Metro Manila are San Juan and Valenzuela. However, Quezon City remains a hotspot of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

On April 30, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 112, imposing ECQ in high-risk areas and general community quarantine (GCQ) in low to moderate risk areas in the country until May 15.

ECQ remains in effect over Metro Manila; Central Luzon (except Aurora); Calabarzon; Benguet; Pangasinan; Iloilo province; Cebu province; Bacolod City; and Davao City.