NCR shift to GCQ seen due to waning Covid-19 cases

FILE: Light traffic along Edsa, near the MRT Kamuning Station in Quezon City, is observed on Tuesday (August 4, 2020). (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)

MANILA – Metro Manila Council (MMC) chairperson and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez on Thursday said he expects the region to soon shift into general community quarantine due to a decline in the number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) active cases.

In an interview with morning show Unang Hirit, Olivarez said their current data showed a decline in the number of active cases in Parañaque as compared to data from before the shift to a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) on August 4.

“Way back on August 4, ang ating mga active cases within the city of Parañaque umaabot po ng 876. Ngayon po, ang data namin kahapon ay 651 yung aming active cases (our active cases in Parañaque reached 876. Now, our data yesterday showed that we currently have 651 active cases),” Olivarez said.

He attributed the decline to the lesser number of people going out of their homes through the implementation of quarantine passes and limiting its issuance to authorized persons outside of residence (APOR).

“Dun sa ating MECQ, na-kontrol natin yung mobilization ng tao, yung paglabas ng tao (In MECQ, we were able to control the movement of the public, their travels outside their homes),” Olivarez said.

If the declining trend in Covid-19 cases continues in the next few days, he said the easing of quarantine restrictions back into a GCQ in Metro Manila is probable.

“Kung magtutuloy itong trend natin, mula pa noong August 4, most probably mag-GCQ na po tayo (If things continue the way it is, beginning in August 4, we probably will have a GCQ),” Olivarez said.

He said the decision on whether to ease the quarantine in Metro Manila to GCQ in the next six days will ultimately be based on the data and presentation by the Department of Health (DOH) and the MMC’s recommendation to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.