Will the ECQ in Metro Manila Get Extended?

The government's inter-agency task force on COVID-19 response will meet Tuesday to decide on the fate of Metro Manila's lockdown, Malacañang said Monday as hospitals bear the brunt of rising infections.

The final community quarantine classification for the capital region will likely be finalized on Thursday, a day before the enhanced community quarantine or ECQ expires, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

"The recommendation will have to be finalized by around Thursday after a period has been given to LGUs para umapela," Roque said in a Palace press briefing.

Roque added that the effect of the current lockdown in Metro Manila would likely be felt in around two weeks.

Metro Manila was placed under ECQ until Aug. 20 along with neighboring province Laguna to slow the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus Delta variant.

Authorities have said that the lockdown would be used to ramp up vaccinations, and to help the healthcare system catch up with the rising infections.

"We're on our way to vaccinating at least 50% of our population here in Metro Manila," Roque said.

So far, the country has fully vaccinated some 12 million Filipinos against COVID-19. The Philippines needs to inoculate at least 50 million by November to reach the government's target of population protection.