The Department of Health (DOH) will let the IATF-EID decide on whether to place Metro Manila and other high-risk areas under general community quarantine following the decision of the majority of the members of the Metro Manila Council (MMC).
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said various factors must be considered before the GCQ implementation such as health, economy, security, and social assistance.
She added the decision must also be based upon the recommendation of experts on the situation of COVID-19 in the country such as case doubling time and critical care utilization rate.
Vergeire emphasized the change in the number of recorded cases in the past few days is not a reason to be complacent as there is no vaccine yet.
Meanwhile, Vergeire clarified the new allocation of hydroxychloroquine for patients has been temporarily suspended based on the recommendation of the World Health Organization, but may continue on patients who have already started with the clinical trial.
