NCR mayors seek 2-week extension, modified quarantine

FILE: Personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) of Dasmariñas City strictly check persons roaming around and passing through the checkpoint near the boundary of Imus and Dasmariñas in Cavite to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Monday (March 30, 2020). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – Metro Manila mayors have recommended three quarantine options as the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is set to end on May 15.

In a virtual council meeting on Saturday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jose Arturo “Jojo” Garcia Jr. said one of the options the Metro Manila Council (MMC) suggested is the extension of the ECQ for another two weeks to further contain the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The council also recommended the shift from ECQ to general community quarantine (GCQ) and a modified community quarantine which is a combination of the ECQ and GCQ in certain areas.

Garcia said local chief executives suggested the modified community quarantine due to the interconnectivity of the cities and varying situations in Metro Manila.

The MMC is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA, comprising the mayors of cities and municipalities and other related agencies.

Garcia said the quarantine options will be presented to the to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, stressing that there is no perfect solution but there must be a balance of economic and health issues.

“We will let the national government decide what is the appropriate option for Metro Manila. We will respect the wisdom of the IATF to decide. We and the Metro Manila mayors shall follow and be ready,” he added.

Department of Health on Saturday reported 147 new infections, increasing the country’s confirmed Covid-19 cases to 10,610.

Of the new cases, about 123 or 84 percent came from the NCR while 24 or 16 percent from other regions.