Metro Manila, Davao City to shift to GCQ on June 1

Metro Manila and Davao City will shift to a General Community Quarantine (GCQ) starting June 1, despite a reported single-day spike in COVID-19 infections.

Government medical adviser Dr. Tony Leachon assured that Metro Manila is ready for the shift to GCQ, citing favorable health metrics such as reduced viral spread, a 10-day doubling time, and decreasing recovery and death rates.

Dr. Leachon explained that the reported spike in cases on May 28 was an artificial rise due to backlogs and delays in submission.

Cebu City will remain under a Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), while Iloilo City and Baguio City will also be placed under GCQ.

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) is encouraging the use of bicycles as the primary form of transport once areas come under GCQ.

President Duterte has ordered local government units to accept returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) after they have been tested and cleared.

The Department of Transportation will expand international aviation gateways and allow domestic air operations between GCQ areas.

Illegal clinics, mostly servicing Chinese for COVID-19 testing, have been discovered, leading to arrests and investigations by the NBI and BI.