NATIONAL Task Force (NTF) on COVID-19 Carlito Galvez Jr. yesterday said localized or zoning lockdowns will be implemented in areas that register high numbers of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
Galvez said the specialized lockdowns will apply even if it covers only a building, block, subdivision or barangay.
Galvez said protocols observed under enhanced community quarantine and modified ECQ (MECQ) shall be imposed during the zonal lockdowns.
“Ito ay para at least ang nakikita natin, continuous balancing ng ating health at saka iyong economy. At nakikita namin na itong localized fight against COVID is mas maganda kasi nakikita natin segmented ito at saka ito tinatawag na surgical at saka tinatawag nating mas localized (We would at least see a continuous balancing of health and the economy. We see that the localized fight against COVID is better because it is segmented, surgical and more localized),” he said.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said ECQ can be reimposed in provinces or cities that will fail to comply with minimum health standards.
“Wala na pong lugar sa Pilipinas ang nasa ilalim ng ECQ at MECQ. Ngunit kung marami po sa atin ang hindi susunod sa health protocols, baka bumalik po tayo sa ECQ and MECQ (There are no more places in the Philippines that is under the ECQ at MECQ. But if there are many people who will violate the health protocols, we might return to ECQ and MECQ),” Roque warned.
Roque reiterated that minimum health standards like observance of social or physical distancing, washing of hands, wearing of face mask and continued staying at home especially for those from the vulnerable sectors, should still be observed.
Starting June 1, the following areas shifted to general community quarantine (GCQ) after 75 days of ECQ setting: National Capital Region (NCR), Cagayan Valley (Region 2); Central Luzon (Region 3); Calabarzon (Region 4-A); Central Visayas (Region 7); Pangasinan province; and the cities of Zamboanga, Davao, Cebu and Mandaue.
Roque said Metro Manila and Cebu City are required to strictly monitor their health system performance capacity and compliance with surveillance, isolation and treatment protocols.
Roque likewise reminded Cebu City to submit its zoning plans especially for high risk barangays.
DUTERTE IN DAVAO
Roque said President Duterte flew to Davao City late last week to check the situation in Mindanao.
He said the President also has scheduled activities in Mindanao, including a meeting with the IATF on June 4. He is expected to address the nation on Thursday from his home city.
“Ngayong siya po ay nasa Mindanao, hindi lang naman siya nag-reunion, tinitingnan din niya kung ano po ang nangyari diyan sa Mindanao. At in fact, magkakaroon siya ng mga official functions sa Davao kasama na po ang pag-uulat sa bayan, at ang pagmi-meeting niya sa ilang mga miyembro ng IATF, magaganap po iyan sa Davao (Now that he is in Mindanao, he did not go there for a reunion. He checked what was happening in Mindanao. And in fact, he would have official functions in Davao including his report to the nation, and a meeting with the members of the IATF. It will all happen in Davao),” he said.
The President flew to Davao late Thursday night.
This is his second trip to Davao since the easing of lockdown in several parts of the country.
He had been staying in Metro Manila since March after he placed Metro Manila and Luzon under an ECQ.
