Metro Manila mayors: Ease quarantine restrictions after holidays

National Task Force against COVID-19 (NTF) chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said he and Metro Manila mayors would recommend easing the quarantine restrictions after the Christmas holidays.

“I and the (Metro Manila) mayors have talked, and they are very cautious about shifting to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) here in Manila,” Galvez said on Thursday.

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“Their recommendation is that in case there will be an easing up of restrictions, maybe it could take place next year after the holidays,” Galvez said as new COVID-19 cases increased in Davao City and Benguet province.

Most parts of the country have been under general community quarantine (GCQ) or MGCQ for the past few weeks.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila, Batangas, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Tacloban City, Iligan City, and Lanao del Sur would be under GCQ until end-November. At the same time, the rest of the Philippines remained under MGCQ.

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On November 20, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio shifted Davao City from the most lenient measure of MGCQ to GCQ after it recorded a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Metro Manila mayors: Ease quarantine restrictions after holidays

Galvez, who is also the vaccine czar, said the local governments in Metro Manila had been directed to remind residents to be extra careful during the Christmas season.

He added the NTF also asked the Department of Trade and Industry to regularly inspect malls, restaurants, and other commercial establishments where people will be crowding during the holiday.

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“We reminded mall owners to have stricter implementation [of health protocols] through their marshals. We expect that it’s very [likely] that the cases will rise during sales and boxing days when people will really flock to the malls,” Galvez added.

Galvez also coordinated with the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines to assist in a “stricter enforcement” of minimum health standards.

Palace spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said President Duterte would announce the quarantine classifications for the month of December on November 30.

“Although it is a holiday on the 30th, I have had to personally change my schedule because I was told that the President will have a talk to the people on Nov. 30, which is a holiday,” Roque said.