The government is choosing between extending the lockdown or ECQ in Metro Manila or easing it by one notch to allow more economic activity, Interior Sec. Eduardo Año said Thursday, one day before the quarantine classification in the region expires.
Should the Enhanced Community Quarantine be extended or downgraded to Modified ECQ or MECQ, the quarantine will be effective until Aug. 31. The current ECQ in Metro Manila is due to end on Friday, lasting 15 days.
"More or less either extension lang naman yan or bababa tayo sa MECQ," he said in an interview on dzBB.
"Ang choice natin puwedeng i-retain ang ECQ for another week or until end of the month or puwedeng bababa tayo sa MECQ para makapagbukas yung ibang negosyo pero mayroon pa ring mga adjustment na gagawin,” he said.
Metro Manila was placed under ECQ from Aug. 6 to 20 to slow the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus Delta variant.
The IATF is set to meet on Thursday afternoon to decide on the community quarantine status for Metro Manila from Aug. 21 onwards.
While mayors of the capital region deferred giving a recommendation on the community quarantine status, MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos said local chief executives vowed to ramp up COVID-19 vaccinations regardless of the virus restriction that would take effect.
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