DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Gvernment (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said on Thursday, May 7, that some cities in Metro Manila may already shift to a general community quarantine (GCQ) and ease some restrictions.

"There are cities in Manila that may be ready for a GCQ," Año said in a television interview.

He cited the cities of San Juan and Valenzuela, which has an improving health situation and effective response to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) epidemic.

Quezon City, however, remains a hotspot of Covid-19 in Metro Manila.

Areas classified as having low to moderate risk of a Covid-19 outbreak may be placed under a GCQ.

The decision to place an area under GCQ would depend on the rate of infection, health system capacity, and economic factors, Año said.

He said the preparedness of an area to be placed under GCQ should be evaluated by the DILG field units which will make a recommendation to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID).

Under GCQ, public transportation systems may resume at limited capacity and non-leisure business establishments may reopen provided social distancing and other minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks are observed. Mass gatherings are, however, still prohibited.

Government offices may be fully operational while malls would reopen at limited capacity or remain closed.

Individuals aged 21 and below or 60 and above, as well as those with immunodeficiency, co-morbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women must still observe strict home quarantine, except when they have to go out to obtain essential goods and services or work in permitted industries and offices.

Earlier, Año said that localized ECQ may be implemented in several areas, where cases of Covid-19 remain high, after May 15.

Metro Manila, or the National Capital Region, is among the high-risk areas that are still under ECQ until May 15.

Others are Central Luzon (except Aurora), Calabarzon, Pangasinan, Benguet, Iloilo including Iloilo City, Cebu including Cebu City, Davao City, Bacolod City, Albay and Zamboanga City. (SunStar Philippines)

大吉大利~~~~~