NTF COVID-19 to lift ECQ if LGUs finish massive testing

The National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) aims to lift the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) nationwide if local government units (LGUs) are able to mass-test all possible coronavirus patients before the quarantine’s end.

“Once the LGUs have accomplished the massive testing of suspected COVID-19 patients before May 15, we can most probably implement modified ECQ and lift quarantine restrictions,” said Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., NTF head.

Galvez says tracing and isolating suspected COVID-19 patients will help flatten the curve of the coronavirus cases in the metropolis. 

He also appealed to the public to stay at home and to observe government guidelines on the COVID-19 pandemic while mass testing is not yet available. 

Galvez meanwhile revealed that 19 of the 2,200 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in quarantine facilities in Metro Manila tested positive for COVID-19.

 

He also hoped temporary restrictions on incoming international flights will be maintained in a bid to decongest quarantine facilities where 23,480 OFWs nationwide are being housed.

The NTF seeks to speed up the testing of OFWs as they expect 44,724 more OFWs to be repatriated this month until the end of June.

Galvez clarified that they do not restrict outbound Filipino workers.