MANILA – The decision to lower or retain lockdown classifications would depend on scientific data, Malacañang reiterated Wednesday.
“I’d like to stress that when we actually decide when to ease up further or retain the classification it’s all scientific data so we’re all eager to await the epidemiological report coming from the DOH (Department of Health),” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
From June 1 to 15, Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Pangasinan, Albay, and Davao City were placed under general community quarantine (GCQ).
The rest of the country, meanwhile, was placed under a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) – the lowest form of community quarantine enforced by the government.
The government employs a four-tier community quarantine ranging from the strictest ECQ to the most relaxed MGCQ.
“We’re still looking for some kind of data that would indicate Metro Manila, if we give it more liberty so to speak under MGCQ, will not spark a second wave. We cannot afford a second wave that’s why we’re looking at data that if we completely loosen up or almost completely loosen up is that the cases will not spike,” Roque explained.
Roque said another factor that they are looking at is the doubling time of coronavirus disease 2019 together with critical care capacity.
On Wednesday, the Inter-Agency Task Force conducted meeting to discuss the issue on lockdown restrictions.
The Philippines has 22,992 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including 1,017 death and 4,736 as of Tuesday. (With ABS-CBN News/PN)
