Albay Congressman Joey Salceda proposed Monday a one-week lockdown of the National Capital Region (NCR) to prevent the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus or COVID-19.
Salceda is the chairman of the House committee on ways and means. He proposed after local governments in Quezon City, Marikina, and Pasig reported cases of COVID-19.
“Everyone is a suspect now, thus, the need for isolation shock,” Salceda told reporters.
Specifically, Salceda called for the implementation of the following measures within the NCR during the weeklong lockdown
- suspension of classes
- work stoppage
- no bus trips
- no domestic flights, and
- closure of South Luzon Expressway and North Luzon and Expressway and railways.
Also read: Mayor Vico Sotto confirms coronavirus in Pasig
‘Overacting is okay’: lawmaker wants weeklong NCR lockdown amid coronavirus threat
Salceda also said a nationwide suspension of classes should accompany the lockdown on NCR.
“In times like these, being overacting is okay,” he said.
“The costs of mass community transmission far outweigh the economic losses arising from preemptive actions. Zero casualty doctrine should extend to all emergencies, especially health emergencies,” the lawmaker added.
Meanwhile, Malacañang, on Sunday, said school heads should decide whether to declare the class suspension after President Rodrigo Duterte declared public health emergency due to coronavirus or COVID-10 outbreak.
However, Health Secretary Franciso Duque III said it was “not yet right” to suspend classes.
Below is the updated list of class suspensions
METRO MANILA
Marikina City – all levels, public and private (until Wednesday, March 11)
Navotas City – all levels, public and private
Pasay City – all levels, public and private (until Tuesday, March 10)
Quezon City – Bagong Lipunan Crame Elementary School and High School
San Juan City – all levels, public and private
RIZAL
Cainta, Rizal – all levels, public and private (until Tuesday, March 10)
Taytay, Rizal – all levels, public and private