Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday emphasized that there is basis for the recommendation to place the entire country under more relaxed modified general community quarantine in March.
“Unang-una sapat po iyong ating mga kama para gamutin ang mga magkakasakit. Pangalawa, matutuloy na po ang ating pagbabakuna (First, we have enough beds to treat the infected. Second, our vaccination will push through),” Sec. Roque explained.
“Pangatlo po, dahil po rito at dahil nakita natin na nagpapatupad ang mga Pilipino ng mask, hugas, iwas. Kaya po nagkaroon ng rekomendasyon na buksan na natin iyong 95 porsiyento ng ating ekonomiya (Third is we have seen the Filipino follow wearing of mask, handwashing, and avoiding crowded places. That is why there is a recommendation to open 95 percent of the economy),” he added.
Malacanang has been made aware of the increase in COVID-19 cases in some areas of the country. But Sec. Roque admitted he does not want to preempt the decision of the IATF-EID on whether changes will be made on the recommendation.
Based on the omnibus guidelines released by IATF-EID as of February 11, mass gatherings in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) are limited to 10 people only while gatherings in MGCQ are open up to 50 percent venue capacity.
The 50 percent public transportation capacity under GCQ can be expanded up to 75 percent under MGCQ.
The weekly public address of President Duterte will take place on Wednesday to give way for the full cabinet meeting today. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
