Malacañang: Going outside still unsafe even under MECQ

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque chided the public on Monday for flocking to the malls on Saturday, the first day of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila.

Roque warned mall owners that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and Malacañang will close their operations again if they defy quarantine protocols and health guidelines of the government.

He also said the public should never forget the risks of going out of their houses and must comply with basic health protocols such as wearing facemasks and observing social distancing.

“Bawal lumabas, pero ‘pag nag-comply ka, inayos ninyo ang mag comply sa proper hygiene katulad ng paghuhugas ng kamay, pagsuot ng face masks or face shield, at pagsunod sa social distancing at iba pang health protocols, mapa-flatten natin ang curve. At ang bawal ay magiging pwede nang lumabas (It’s forbidden to go out, but if you comply with proper hygiene and wash hands, wear face masks and follow social distancing and other health protocols, we can flatten the curve. And the forbidden will be allowed),” Roque said.

Roque also said the public should take the threat of COVID-19 seriously and emphasized that the coronavirus is still not contained.

“Paalala lang po, modified enhanced community quarantine or general community quarantine pa ‘yan, nasa ilalim pa ng community quarantine pa rin tayo. Nandiyan pa rin ang virus habang wala pa ring bakuna, habang wala pa ring gamot (We remind you, whether modified enhanced community quarantine or general community quarantine, we are still under community quarantine. The virus is still there while there is no vaccine or medicine),” Roque said. 

The IATF lifted the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status in Metro Manila and shifted to MECQ on March 15, allowing operations of selected business establishments.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the MECQ status was intended to aid in reviving the economy and restarting employment in the Philippines as the country continues to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic.