[ad_1]
MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision not to ease the country’s quarantine status without the launch of the Covid-19 vaccine is a “timely” and “responsive” measure, an independent research group said Tuesday.
Dr. Butch Ong from the OCTA Research Team said it was correct to postpone the switch to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) considering the slight increase in new reported Covid-19 cases.
“This is a timely and responsive move in the hindi muna mag-open ng industries,” Ong said in a televised briefing.
(This is a timely and responsive move not to open more industries.)
“It is also true that the statement that quarantine restrictions will not be opened or mageease first because we have seen a slight increase [ng Covid cases],” He explained.
(This pronouncement of not easing restrictions is correct because we observe a slight rebound in Covid cases.
Over the weekend, OCTA reported that there is a slight upward trend in new Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila.
The president had rejected the proposed nationwide change to MGCQ, while the government has yet to begin vaccinating against Covid-19.
While the president acknowledges the importance of reopening the economy, Malacañang said Duterte “gives a higher premium to public health and safety.”
Acting Secretary for Socio-Economic Planning Karl Chua recommended switching the country to MGCQ in an attempt to address hunger and job loss among Filipinos.
JE
Read next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
