DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The city government will adopt the extended Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) instead of the less-restrictive Modified Community Quarantine (MCQ) which it earlier announced.
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said they will continue to implement the ECQ until May 15 as per the announcement of the national government.
On Friday, April 24, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) recommendation for a two-week extension of ECQ in ‘high-risk’ areas like Metro Manila and other regions in the country to further contain the spread of the virus.
Davao is one of the “high-risk” areas identified by IATF.
“We cannot go on MCQ on Monday (April 27) because of the IATF announcement earlier. We cannot go against the classification of the national government of the areas because of the response and the assistance will also depend on the national government on the classification of the areas,” she explained during her interview with the Davao City Disaster Radio.
The city’s ECQ is supposed to end on Sunday, April 26.
Sara clarified that nothing will change under the extended ECQ as the authorities will still implement strict safety protocols.
“There will be no mass transportation, government offices will still continue to do work from home while (employees from) a few offices, sectors, and establishments will be allowed to go out. Clustering and food and medicine pass will still be there,” she said.
The mayor also reiterated her call for the public to still observe the “stay at home” policy to contain the spread COVID-19.
Meanwhile, all provinces that are not part of the extended ECQ or the ‘low and moderate-risk’ areas will be placed under the General Community Quarantine on May 1 with the new recommended guidelines being finalized. (davaotoday.com)
