IATF to recommend another GCQ extension in Metro Manila, says MMDA chief Lim

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) will recommend keeping Metro Manila under general community quarantine (GCQ) after July 31, a recommendation that has the support of the region's mayors, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Danilo Lim said Thursday.

"Ang IATF nag-meeting na at ang irerekomenda sa Office of the President ay i-maintain ang GCQ sa Metro Manila," Lim said in a Dobol B sa News TV interview on Thursday.

"Wala silang reklamo na i-maintain 'yung GCQ," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce his decision within the day.

Lim, meanwhile, denied reports that some Metro Manila mayors, during a meeting Wednesday night, had proposed that the status be reverted to the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

"Walang comments o inputs from the mayors... kagabi lang kausap namin sila, wala namang inputs na gusto nilang bumalik sa MECQ," Lim said.

In a separate Dobol B sa News TV interview, Mayor Toby Tiangco of Navotas City said the Metro Manila Council no longer debated on the quarantine status of Metro Manila.

"Hindi napag-usapan 'yan kasi ang feeling ko given na ang ire-recommend ng IATF is GCQ," Tiangco said.

"Mukhang ganoon nga ang gagawin nila kaya lang ia-amend nila 'yung ibang mga establishment," he added.

According to Tiangco, the Metro Manila mayors have discussed whether to extend the curfew to 11 p.m., as proposed by the Department of Trade and Industry.

"Para humaba raw humaba 'yung store hours kasi ang iniisip nila, kaya hanggang 8 o 9 lang ang mga tindahan o ang mga mall kasi uuwi pa 'yung mga nagtitinda or 'yung mga kumain sa kanilang mga lugar kaya nagbibigay ng one hour allowance," Tiangco said.

"So kung gagawing 10 p.m., hahaba din 'yung mall hours at mas malaki kikitain nu'ng mga restaurants," he added.

Tiangco added that during the meeting, many mayors opposed the opening of computer shops in communities. They, however, discussed the re-opening of gyms, and whether to allow certain quantity of liquor in some restaurants.

"I assume GCQ talaga," Tiangco said. —KBK, GMA News