Community quarantines balance health concerns, economic recovery –DTI

The decision to reimpose a general community quarantine "with heightened restrictions" over the National Capital Region balances compliance with health protocols and economic recovery, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Saturday.

Lopez issued the remark after the NCR was placed under a GCQ with heightened restrictions from July 23 to 31, following the confirmation of local transmission of the more infectious Delta variant.

“But we also appreciate the good balancing act of the IATF with the help of the health expert na ‘yung ating restriction naka-focus lang karamihan dito sa mga non-essential activity na binabawasan natin,” he said in a live briefing.

“But what is important to the extent possible, we are allowing economic activities to continue. I think that is really important,” he later added.

The Philippines has detected a total of 64 cases of the variant.

“At least with this quick reaction natin na magbalanse agad, umatras ng kaonti para hindi umabot sa mas matagal or mas malalang situation tulad ng Delta variant sa ibang bansa,” he said.

The Metro Manila Council (MMC) has lengthened the curfew hours in the National Capital Region from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. starting Sunday, July 25.

“Hopefully, ma-maintan natin itong balance to allow the economy to continue,” he said.

Lopez also stressed that compliance with minimum health standards may maintain the “momentum that we are enjoying right now.”

The Philippines has reported 1,543,281 confirmed cases, of which 1,461,749 have recovered and 27,131 have died. — DVM, GMA News