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Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reversed reports that Metro Manila will return to the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) following an increase in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the capital region.
Lorenzana, the concurrent chair of the National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF Covid-19), said the metropolis’ Covid-19 situation is “stable and manageable” at this time.
“As the president had previously announced, Metro Manila will remain under the general direction
community quarantine (GCQ) until the end of the year. Neither the IATF (Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) nor the mayors of Metro Manila recommended any change in the quarantine status in this period, ”he said in a statement Saturday night.
The rumor was sparked by an alleged memo from the Metro Manila police that the region will once again return to the MECQ. The Metro Manila police itself has denied the report.
Although she denied the rumor, Lorenzana urged the public to continue to observe health practices such as the use of masks and face shields, and to maintain physical distance.
“Let’s avoid going to crowded places and holding social gatherings in the meantime to help prevent a possible increase in cases during the Christmas season,” said the defense chief.
The Philippine National Police said they would locate the source of the rumor.
“That is fake news. We will investigate. We want the public to calm down because that was fake news, ”LtGen. Cesar Binag, head of the PNP’s Joint Covid Shield Task Force, said in a radio interview Sunday.
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