IATF bats for stricter quarantine measures in some MGCQ zones

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it was proposed that some areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) be reverted to general community quarantine (GCQ). (PCOO file photo)

MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has recommended the implementation of a “stricter” quarantine classification in some areas in the country starting July 16, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it was proposed that some areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) be reverted to general community quarantine (GCQ).

Roque, however, declined to reveal additional details about the IATF-EID’s recommendations.

“There are areas that will go back to stricter quarantine measures,” he told ABS-CBN News Channel. “I can confirm that some areas, they will go back to GCQ from MGCQ.”

Members of the IATF-EID met on Tuesday to discuss the imposition of new quarantine classifications nationwide beginning Thursday.

Roque said the IATF-EID acted on the appeals of four city governments and one provincial government on the quarantine classification in their respective localities.

He did not mention whether the appeal was to either keep or adjust the quarantine categories.

Roque also hinted that most areas in the country would be under MGCQ after July 15.

“By and large, the Philippines will be under MGCQ overwhelming,” he said.

However, relaxing the quarantine status in Metro Manila is “out of the question,” Roque said.

“It was never considered. It was never agreed upon with the Metro Manila mayors because of the data,” he said, citing the case doubling rate and the clinical care capacity in the country’s metropolis.

Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte has already received the IATF-EID’s recommendations and is expected to decide on Wednesday, the same day the current quarantine classifications in the country expire.

He said the final announcement should come from Duterte.

“I’m still not going to preempt the President. You have to wait for the President,” Roque said.

Only Cebu City is currently under enhanced community quarantine, the most stringent quarantine classification.

Under GCQ are Metro Manila, Benguet, Cavite, Rizal, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Ormoc City, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Cebu’s Talisay City, Minglanilla, and Consolacion.

Under stricter MGCQ are Abra, Baguio City, Ifugao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Angeles City, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Lucena City, Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Naga City, Capiz, Iloilo City, Negros Occidental, Bacolod City, and Cebu province.

Bohol, Negros Oriental, Tacloban City, Western Samar, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao City, Davao de Oro, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Butuan City, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao are also under stricter MGCQ.

The rest of the country is under a more relaxed MGCQ.

Roque said the IATF-EID is also considering declaring some areas in the country under the “new normal.”

“I think in the coming few days, we might even consider declaring some areas under the new normal although we hesitate to do so,” he said.