Manila Bulletin
DTI chief on stricter quarantine status vs Delta variant: 'A good balancing act'
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez stated that the decision to place the National Capital Region (NCR) under a general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions aims to balance health safety with economic recovery.
Lopez explained that the restrictions primarily target non-essential activities to curb the spread of the Delta variant, which has confirmed local transmissions in the Philippines.
He emphasized that allowing economic activities to continue to the greatest extent possible is crucial.
The NCR was placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions from July 23 to July 31 following the detection of the Delta variant.
The Philippines has recorded a total of 64 Delta variant cases.
The Metro Manila Council (MMC) has also extended the curfew hours in the NCR to 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. starting July 25.
Lopez expressed hope that this balanced approach will allow the economy to continue operating despite the ongoing health concerns.
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Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez stated that the Philippine economy cannot withstand another nationwide lockdown, especially with the rising threat of the Delta variant.
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President Rodrigo Duterte's economic team has conceded to a possible revert to more stringent lockdown measures to prevent the further spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19.
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President Rodrigo Duterte warned of potentially stricter COVID-19 restrictions due to the Delta variant, which he described as more "aggressive, vicious, and more virulent and can cause death faster than COVID-19."
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Metro Manila will be under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions until August 5, followed by enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20, 2021, as approved by President Duterte to curb the surge in COVID-19 cases and the Delta variant.
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Malacañang announced that the government is not considering stricter nationwide lockdowns despite the threat of the Delta variant of COVID-19.
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