 |
| Under the modified ECQ approved by Duterte, some businesses will be allowed to resume operations, but residents will remain mostly indoors (File photo) |
The movement of people in Metro Manila (or National Capital
Region), Laguna province and Cebu
City
President Rodrigo Duterte today, May 12, approved the
proposal to extend the ECQ in the said places as part of the country’s effort
to contain the spread of Covid-19, but with modifications.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the announcement in
a televised press briefing at noon Tuesday.
Roque said under modified ECQ, some industries will be allowed
to resume limited operations, but added that the government is still drawing up the list of businesses allowed to operate.
A few hours later, Duterte himself went on air to explain
that the decision to extend the ECQ with a few industries being exempted, is
meant to prevent a new surge in infections.
"We will (ease the restrictions) gradually so we won't
fall...Because we cannot afford a second or third wave. This would happen if
people many people catch the virus because there are rules that were not
followed," he said in his televised address.
He also reminded the public to observe social distancing and
to always wear a mask when they leave the house.
"Do not go out of your house without a mask. That is a
must. Must comply. The police will remind you. 'My friend, step aside. You do
not have mask. Where is your mask?' If you do not have a mask, you would
endanger the person in front of you," Duterte said.
 |
| Despite the lockdown, hundreds of people came out last week to line up for government financial aid |
Under the modified ECQ, people living in the so called “high
risk” areas will continue to be kept largely indoors, with only a few being
allowed to go out to buy food and other basic necessities, and in cases of
emergency.
The new modified ECQ order will take effect on Sunday, May
16.
Many people in Metro Manila, the country’s economic and
political hub, had hoped that the lockdown would end on May 15.
 |
| CALL US! |
But the metropolis remains a high risk area during the pandemic as it accounts for a huge chunk of the country’s total of 11,086 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease. So far, 999 patients have recovered, while 726 died.
Department of Health figures show 7,123 or over 62% of all
cases were recorded in the NCR. Cebu
City
Duterte first placed Metro Manila under community quarantine
on March 15, but upgraded this the next day to ECQ, and extended the order to
cover the entire Luzon island until April 12.
The Luzon ECQ was later extended until Apr 30. A week before
the deadline, the ECQ in Metro Manila and other high-risk areas in Luzon was extended further, to May 15.
Those deemed “low-risk areas” were placed under general
community quarantine (GCQ) where some movement restrictions are relaxed.
 |
| CALL US NOW! |
