QC gov’t gearing up for possible shift to GCQ

The Quezon City (QC) government is gearing up for Metro Manila's possible shift to a more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) after May 31.

According to Jamie Santos’ report on “24 Oras,” the QC government has ordered private companies to craft their own testing programs, protocols, and build isolation rooms.

“We also have put together a team na umiikot incognito… kasi we want to make sure na lahat ng social distancing principles ay talagang pinapatupad ng lahat ng mga commercial establishments namin,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

Belmonte added that the local government is also preparing for a surge in coronavirus cases once quarantine restrictions are loosened.

“We have added several beds in all of the three city-run hospitals in Quezon City. Lahat ‘yan ay tumatanggap ng mga COVID patients,” she said.

“We have added additional facilities, we have purchased ventilators and other such needs. We have also set up three community care facilities para i-house ‘yung ating mga suspects,” the mayor added.

The QC government is also readying a 500-bed facility for COVID-19 patients that will be opened in August.

Local authorities are also looking to hire more contact tracers.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce on Thursday night the fate of the modified enhanced community quarantine over Metro Manila and other high-risk areas. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News