#ECQSeason3 trends as Duterte announces quarantine extension to May 15

As always, Pinoy wit and humor finds its way to the top no matter the situation.

The hashtag #ECQSeason3 hit the top of Twitter's Philippine trends Friday morning as President Rodrigo Duterte announces the extension of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and CALABARZON until May 15.

This marks the third extension of the ECQ since it was imposed on NCR last March 15 to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The President ordered it to cover all of Luzon on March 17, set to be lifted on April 13. Later, it was extended until April 30.

Duterte's latest decision was announced by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in a televised briefing on Friday morning.

Aside from the regions mentioned, Duterte also accepted the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases to extend until May 15 the ECQ in similarly high-risk areas Pangasinan, Benguet, Mindoro island, Albay and Catanduanes.

READ: Duterte extends enhanced community quarantine in NCR, 7 other 'high-risk' areas

Panay, Cebu and the Davao provinces will also be under ECQ as they are also considered high-risk in connection with the spread of COVID-19.

The ECQ imposes sweeping restrictions on travel and mass gatherings, and the closure of schools and non-essential businesses.

People are also heavily urged to stay at home.

The Philippines continues to struggle containing the coronavirus, recording 6,981 infections as of Thursday.

462 patients have succumbed to the virus, while 722 have recovered.

—JCB, GMA News