Trade chief echoes Palace: ‘We can’t go back to ECQ’

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Saturday is also rejecting calls to place the National Capital Region (NCR) back to the strictest lockdown measure —enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

“[W]e cannot go back to ECQ,” Lopez said in a text message.

The Trade chief was asked to comment on the medical community’s plea to revert Metro Manila to ECQ for two weeks as health workers are already worn out due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases being admitted in hospitals.

The medical groups are also appealing reconsider the reopening of more businesses such as gyms, fitness centers, tutorial services, review centers, internet cafes, pet grooming services, and drive-in cinemas.

The Palace, however, rejected the medical groups’ call, noting that “strict lockdown in Metro Manila has served its purpose, and we need to intensify other strategies.

Lopez said the return to ECQ of Metro Manila - the country’s economic center - is also “damaging” to people’s health with “unemployment and poverty affecting health and wellness and nutrition intake.”

“[It] will affect long term health and capacity to learn for children,” he said.

Senator Sonny Angara earlier warned that the economy will likely collapse if the capital region goes back even to just the modified ECQ.

President Rodrigo Duterte has retained the general community quarantine (GCQ) status of Metro Manila until August 15.

A GCQ has also been in effect in Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Minglanilla, Talisay City and Consolacion towns in Cebu province, and Zamboanga City, while the rest of the country is under a modified GCQ.

“We need to manage and live with the virus which is here to stay.  Balancing Health AND Economy,” Lopez said.

“There are now other ways like granular lockdowns (building, street, baranggay), massive tracing, testing, isolation, treatment and stricter compliance to health protocol in transportation and business establishments,” he said.

The Trade chief noted that the government is also very careful in reopening sectors focusing on those with the highest impact on livelihood and micro, small, and medium enterprises.

“Also we made it clear to have very strict compliance to health protocols, otherwise we close the stores until they correct their deficiencies,” he said.

“We are also adding a face shield as a requirement to strengthen the protection up to 99% against transmission. This is encouraged now and may be made mandatory in public places and transport, in the near future,” he added.

Nevertheless, Lopez said that the concerns of health workers are needed to be addressed.

“They need more support in all aspects. We should find ways,” he said.

The Cabinet official emphasized the need to boost the “health care workforce, relievers, beds, facilities, equipment, expanding testing capacities, tracing etc. as well as living quarters for frontliners,  logistics, and other needs.” -MDM, GMA News