Gatchalian suggests extended MECQ until end of May due to India variant

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday suggested the extension of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the National Capital Region Plus (NCR Plus) area after the India variant of the coronavirus was detected in the Philippines.

Gatchalian explained in a CNN interview that he initially backed the loosening of quarantine classification to general community quarantine (GCQ) as he noted that the economy is “directly correlated” with the lockdowns imposed by the government.

“The more we loosen (the economy) up, the more we will grow, the more jobs will be created. However, that thought changed when I saw the new variants or the double variant landed on our shores,” he said.

“Going back to our experience last February, March, these variants can be the cause of increased space for infections in our communities. So I would recommend extended MECQ until the end of the month until we arrest and contain the double variant that came into our shores,” he added.

Gatchalian also observed that the modified version of MECQ has been effective in containing the surge as gatherings and dine-in were prohibited by the government.

This should be maintained until the government is certain that the India variant is controlled, he said.

“The dining in and gatherings are known as catalysts for infections and we need to keep these shut for now because of these new variants,” he said.

On Tuesday, the Department of Health reported that the India variant was detected in specimens taken from two overseas Filipino workers who had no travel history in India. They are now asymptomatic after recovering from COVID-19.

Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Cavite — collectively referred to as NCR Plus — were placed under MECQ until May 14.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is set to meet on Friday to discuss the quarantine classification that the government will impose starting May 15. —KG, GMA News