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MANILA, Philippines – Health Secretary Francisco Duque III believes that the Philippines can no longer afford to re-apply stricter coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown measures, as it will damage the country’s economy “without the possibility of repair”.
“We could no longer afford a higher quarantine status of MECQ (Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine) or ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) because that will irreversibly harm, if not harm, the economy beyond repair,” Duque said at the launch of the “Mask Para Sa Masa Campaign” in Quezon City on Saturday.
“We don’t want that to happen (we don’t want that to happen),” Duque added.
The “Mask Para Sa Masa” campaign aims to provide poor and vulnerable families with free face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
It was from August 4-18 that Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal reverted to MECQ status after front-line doctors urged the government to a two-week “time-out” period, which also it allowed the government to “recalibrate” its response. to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When asked if an extension of the MECQ in Metro Manila and nearby provinces was possible, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that Malacañang is not enthusiastic about the idea as the economy could not withstand another shutdown.
Currently, Metro Manila is under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) until August 31.
The Philippine economy plunged into a recession during the second quarter of 2020, as it contracted 16.5 percent.
As of Saturday, the Philippines has 213,131 COVID-19 cases, with 135,101 recoveries and 3,419 deaths.
For more news on the new coronavirus, click here.
What you need to know about the coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
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