DOH says IATF yet to decide on quarantine classification of NCR, other areas

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday night clarified that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has yet to decide on the quarantine classification of the National Capital Region and other areas.

The health department made the statement following circulating advisories about a possible lockdown amid the threat of the more infectious Delta variant of coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

"We remind the public not to share unverified sources of information to avoid panic and confusion," the DOH said.

Earlier in the day, deputy chief implementer of government pandemic task force Vince Dizon said the government is open to implementing a lockdown amid the threat of the Delta variant.

"We saw the experience of other countries and we need to prepare; lahat ng options, dapat maging open tayo kung ano ang puedeng gawin (we need to be open to all options)," Dizon said during Laging Handa briefing.

The OCTA Research group has previously recommended a "circuit-breaker" lockdown in the capital region.

The country has so far reported 1,566,667 cases of COVID-19 including 1,484,714 recoveries and 27,401 deaths. -- BAP, GMA News