Gov't mulls implementing "limited ECQ" after quarantine expires

 

While the answer to this remains uncertain, the government is now studying the implementation of a limited lockdown.

 

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Thursday that cabinet secretaries and members of the Inter-Agency Task Force of the Management on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) are discussing plans to lift or modify the quarantine when it expires on April 30.

 

“Kaya ngayon pa lang nag-uusap na ang IATF, ang miyembro ng Gabinete at nage-explore ng mga options kung papaano nga ang gagawin. Pupuwedeng ipagtpatuloy ang ECQ, pupuwedeng magkaroon ng modified ECQ,” Roque said.

 

“Ako mismo nakarinig na ng ilang suhestyon galing kay Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion at kay Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez na mga posibleng scenarios at kasama po sa mga scenarios ang yung parang pwede nating tawaging limited ECQ,” he added.

 

Roque emphasized that the government might consider such factors as the geographic location, co-morbidity and particular industries as far as the implementation of a limited ECQ is concerned.

 

He also pointed out that the government is trying to balance its obligation to protect the welfare of the Filipino people amid the COVID-19 pandemic and their right to have a source of income.

 

Roque said the Philippines has yet to flatten the curve.

 

The Department of Health (DOH) said the Philippines had 5,660 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 435 recoveries and 362 deaths as of Thursday afternoon.