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Buildings may be put under lockdown amid GCQ - Galvez
By ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA News Buildings may also be placed under lockdown during the general community quarantine in Metro Manila aside from barangays and subdivisions, according to National Action Plan (NAP) against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.
The national government has been defending its move of easing quarantine protocols across the metro, noting that localized lockdowns could still be implemented to sustain the gains achieved during the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine.
"Mayroon tayong tinatawag na rapid response, kung saan ila-lockdown natin ang isang building, pwedeng ila-lockdown din natin 'yung isang block, isa o dalawang barangay. At ginagamit din natin 'yung mga provisions ng ECQ doon sa mga critical na lugar na iyon,” Galvez said.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año pointed out that it is easier to control the spread of the virus by implementing a localized lockdown as the focus is only at a small area.
"Ito pong localized lockdown ay may iba’t ibang antas. Mayroong isang barangay, isang subdivision lang o isang building lang para mabilis na ma-contain ‘yung infection. Dapat po 'pag may dalawa pataas (na positive COVID cases), dapat po ay ila-lockdown na natin ‘yan para mas maliit, mas mabilis, mas madali nating mapipigilan,” Año said.
Amid the easing of quarantine protocols, Galvez said the national government is expecting to increase its testing capacity by the end of June, noting that Metro Manila will be its priority.
Galvez said the government is targeting to conduct at least 30,000 tests per day.
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"Sa ngayon po, before the end of June, ay magkakaroon na po tayo ng mataas na capacity. Sa ngayon po ang NCR ay nagkakaroon ng regular testing, (per) LGUs, binigyan na po namin sila ng quota. And then ginagamit na po natin ang ating mga mega swabbing areas dito sa Metro Manila,” he said.
On Monday, the National Capital Region shifted from modified ECQ to GCQ, which allowed more industries to resume operations and limited public transportation to ply routes.
No untoward incident was recorded by the Philippine National Police on the first day of GCQ in Metro Manila except for commuters who were stranded for hours in the streets because of lack of mass transport.
Aside from stranded commuters, heavy traffic was also experienced by motorists before reaching their destinations.
Año and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade have appealed for the public’s patience and understanding amid the limited operation of mass transit. —AOL, GMA News