Malacañang sees Metro Manila’s high chance of transition to general-community quarantine (GCQ) once the amended enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) ends on May 31.
All 17 Metro Manila Mayors have called for a more than two-month transition. It came from the National Capital Region (NCR) to GCQ, under tougher quarantine measures due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In an interview with ANC, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said a decision to this country. It can be expected soon as the Emerging Infectious Diseases Management Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) will meet on Wednesday to discuss the issue.
“IATF is meeting today, and we expect the body to take a decision. It’s really hard for me to speculate because I have to wait for the collegiate body to decide as a [the] spokesperson, “Roque said Wednesday morning.
“But I can cite both [Carlito Galvez, Chief Implementer of the National Action Plan, and Eduardo Año, Secretary of the Interior] that we will actually be transitioning to GCQ in Metro Manila,” he added.
Transportation and Work
Roque urged both the public and private sectors to finalize their work scheme as workers’ influx is expected as Metro Manila shifts to GCQ.
“That is why we are in fact appealing to both the private and public sectors to ensure this 50-50 workforce,” he said.
“That doesn’t mean job ceases, but I guess we ‘re used to working at home by now. You broadcast from your own home. I interview from home. They can do it, “he added.
Roque said all modes of transport are most likely to be operational. But, it can transport only 50 percent of their capacity at a time.
“All transport will be operational. But, operating at a capacity of 50 per cent, which is why it is important for employers, including government. It aims to finalize their scheme even though everyone will return to work. Meanwhile, only 50 per cent will actually work on site and the rest can work from home,” he said.
Since March 15, Metro Manila has been under Quarantine. The next day, it was placed under an enhanced Neighborhood quarantine (ECQ) and remained so until May 15. On May 16, it transitioned to amended ECQ.