Gov't considering lockdown by 'zones' in June -Galvez

The government is considering implementing localized lockdowns by "zones" where necessary after existing community quarantine arrangements end this month, an official said Friday.

COVID-19 response chief implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr. said the "zoning concept" will entail dividing places into either "affected" or "economic" areas.

In affected areas, the zone to be "cordoned" or locked down will be called the "index" or "critical area." Its surrounding area where there are fewer cases will be called the "containment area." Areas that are unaffected but contiguous to those will be called the '"buffer zone," Galvez explained.

Outside the buffer zone will be the economic area, where 50 to 100% of economic activity will be allowed to resume, he said.

The official said the zoning will depend on data on doubling time and incident rate.

"Ang nakikita po natin na isang magandang option po ay magkaroon po tayo ng tinatawag na granular approach, o 'yung tinatawag nating selective approach, o 'yung surgical approach, kasi dito natin makikita talaga na we have to have a direct impact immediately at saka 'yung rapid response natin ay nakatutuok talaga du'n sa mga affected," he said at the Laging Handa briefing.

He said the concept has been proposed to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Galvez earlier said the government may implement future lockdowns at the barangay level. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said they may also focus on neighborhoods, sitios, and subdivisions.

Cebu City and Mandaue City remain under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 31. Metro Manila, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga including Angeles City, Zambales and Laguna are under a modified ECQ.

The rest of the country is under general community quarantine.

Galvez said the government's quarantine strategy has been effective, claiming that the number of COVID-19 deaths recorded per day has been decreasing.

"If we have already an effective way on testing, tracing, at saka 'yung treatment, nakikita po namin na pwede na tayong magbukas," he said, referring to business establishments. 

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines climbed to 13,597 on Friday after the Department of Health reported 163 new infections.

Ninety-two more patients have recovered from the virus, bringing the total to 3,092, while the death toll increased to 857 with 11 new fatalities. -MDM, GMA News