Palace sees no timeline in easing quarantine restrictions in NCR

Malacañang said Thursday there is no estimate yet on when Metro Manila, the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, will be placed under eased quarantine restrictions.

"Hindi ko alam kung kailan makakamit 'yan (Alert Level 1). Pero ang importante sa Metro Manila, ay mahigit 60% na ang ating pagbabakuna," (I don't know when can we reach Level 1. But what is important is that 60% of those in NCR are already fully vaccinated)," Roque said.

Roque made the pronouncement during the first day of implementation of Alert Level 4 in Metro Manila, a protocol which partially allows indoor and outdoor dining as well as personal care services to operate at 10% to 30% capacity.

The Alert Level 4 in Metro Manila will be in effect under September 30.

The Alert Level 1 protocol, on the other hand, allows all establishments, persons, or activities, are to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it follows minimum health standards such as wearing of face mask and face shield, observance of social distancing and frequent washing of hands.

Roque said that the Alert Level 4 should work because it is a targeted approach.

"Titingnan natin kung lalong mas mapapababa at mapapahina ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 (We will have to ser if this will bring down our COVID-19 cases)," Roque said.

"Ang siyensya diyan ay dahil alam naman natin kung nasan ang mga kuta ng COVID-19. Kung yan ang isinara natin, baka naman talaga ma-contain yung pagkalat [ng virus] (The science behind this is we know where COVID-19 transmission is coming from. If we close in on that, maybe we can contain the virus)," Roque added. — RSJ, GMA News