Duterte: NCR, several other areas under GCQ vs. COVID-19

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended anew the general community quarantine in Metro Manila until December 31, 2020 to control the spread of COVID-19 over the holidays.

In a public address aired on Monday night, Duterte said the following areas are also under GCQ:

•     National Capital Region
•     Batangas
•     Iloilo City
•     Tacloban City
•     Lanao del Sur
•     Iligan
•     Davao City

Meanwhile, Duterte placed the rest of the country under modified GCQ.

Metro Manila mayors recommended the retention of GCQ in the capital region until the end of 2020 to prevent a possible surge in the number of COVID-19 cases during the holiday season, which is usually marked by festivities and gatherings.

The same was also the recommendation of the OCTA Research team.

The mayors came up with the recommendation following the meeting of the Metro Manila Council on Sunday.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, who chairs the Metro Manila Council, said the MMC is hoping that Metro Manila could be placed under modified GCQ by the start of 2021.

He said this would still depend on the number of COVID-19 infections in December.

"Ganoon ang direksyon pero titingnan pa rin po natin 'yung datos na manggagaling sa DOH. Kung magtutuloy-tuloy po na hindi tayo magkakaroon ng spike, most probably mag-MGCQ po tayo," Olivarez said. -NB, GMA News