15-day MECQ for NCR, Calabarzon and Central Luzon
AS expected, President Rodrigo Duterte gave in to mounting pressure from medical organizations wanting the government to revert the national capital region under strict modified enhanced community quarantine in view of the rapid spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country. Aside from Metro Manila, Duterte also re-imposed strict lockdown measures in Calabarzon and Central Luzon. Specifically, areas reverted to MECQ include Metro Manila’s 16 cities, the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon in Region IV-A and Central Luzon, with strong emphasis on Bulacan. MECQ takes effect August 4 and will last until August 18. During a meeting with his Cabinet on Monday night, Duterte hinted on the need to address the concerns of the medical community whom he said plays the major role in the government’s battle against the global pandemic. Interestingly, Duterte announced last Friday that Metro Manila would remain under the more lenient general community quarantine (GCQ) for...