NTF will discuss Holy Week travel 'restrictions' on Monday, says DILG

The National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 is set to discuss on Monday whether to impose restrictions on traveling to provinces this coming Holy Week amid the rising number of infections in Metro Manila.

"Bukas, meron kaming meeting ng response cluster ng NTF COVID-19, at pag-uusapan namin kung maghihigpit ba tayo ng pagbiyahe sa mga probinsya given the increase," said Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya in an interview with "Dobol B TV" on Sunday.

[Tomorrow, we in the response cluster of the NTF COVID-19 will have a meeting and we will talk about whether we will impose restrictions on travelling to the provinces given the increase of COVID-19 cases.]

Filipinos residing in Metro Manila traditionally travel to their respective provinces for the Holy Week, but Malaya expressed concern that doing so could only further spread COVID-19 in the rural areas.

He pointed out that many local government units such as Cebu and Davao, have started bringing back the requirement for testing before allowing travelers to enter their areas, and the interior department could follow suit.

"Yan ang pag-uusapan namin bukas. Kasi kung magdedesisyon ang IATF and the NTF na maghigpit, wala tayong choice kundi maghigpit para mag-stay at home na muna ang ating mga kababayan ngayong panahon ng pagtataas ng kaso up to the Holy Week period," he added.

[That's what we will discuss tomorrow. If the IATF and the NTF decide to impose restrictions, we don't have another choice but to do so, so that people would stay at home at this time when COVID-19 cases are increasing up to the Holy Week period.]

Malaya, nevertheless, pointed out that the national government has not yet imposed a lockdown nationwide, but urged the public to be prepared in case that happens.

"As of now, wala pa tayong lockdown, ngunit maghanda siguro tayo. As I said, let's postpone all non-essential travel especially sa pagtaas ng mga kaso," he said.

[As of now we don't have a lockdown, but let's be prepared. As I said, let's postpone all non-essential travel especially since cases are increasing.]

On Saturday, the Philippines reported 7,999 new cases of COVID-19, the highest daily count recorded since the pandemic began.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country as of Saturday was total to 656,056. Of this number, 562,484 recovered; 80,642 are active; and 12,930 died. —LBG, GMA News