Next 2 weeks crucial to arrest COVID-19 spread, allow gradual reopening of business — Duterte adviser

The measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the next two weeks will be important in ensuring that businesses will not take a fatal dive amid the pandemic, according to presidential adviser on entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion on Friday.

"Remaining two weeks dapat nasa bahay lang tayo. Last two minutes na lang itong extension. Huwag na natin paulitin itong lockdown or ECQ (enhanced community quarantine)," Concepcion said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"If after one month or two months bumalik ulit tayo sa [ECQ], talagang masisira ang mga negosyante. Andar, para, andar, para. Hindi puwedeng ganiyan," he added.

Concepcion remained optimistic that the ECQ over Metro Manila and other high-risk provinces will be lifted on May 15.

He also acknowledged that continuous COVID-19 testing is important in the gradual reopening of businesses in the country.

"Ang testing talaga creates visibility and when you have visibility, it helps manage the infection level," he said.

The official further said that the private sector also has ongoing efforts in strengthening the country's testing capacity.

"Itong mga rapid test kits na dadalhin ng private sector halos umaabot na close to 1 million between May 15 at June," Concepcion said.

"While we are going to use rapid test kits, we are telling the companies to test your people twice a month. Not just once a month," he added while acknowledging that PCR-based tests are more reliable.

Some establishments in areas outside Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and other high-risk provinces will be allowed to resume partial and full operations starting May 1 based on the guidelines released by the inter-agency task force leading the COVID-19 response.

As of April 30, the Philippine recorded a total of 8,488 cases of COVID-19, with 568 deaths and 1,043 recoveries. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News