Metro Manila mayors want sustained COVID-19 decline before MGCQ shift

Metro Manila mayors are advocating for a sustained decrease in COVID-19 cases before considering a transition to the more lenient Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

The National Capital Region will continue to be under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) until October 31, as decided by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Despite the reopening of businesses and increased public mobility under GCQ, Metro Manila has observed a significant reduction in COVID-19 positive cases.

San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora stated that the mayors desire to witness a stable decline in case numbers, which would then allow for the reopening of additional industries and businesses.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,073 new COVID-19 cases on September 28, with six laboratories failing to submit their data.

The country's total COVID-19 case count has reached 307,288, including 49,242 active cases.

A total of 37 new deaths were reported, bringing the cumulative death toll to 5,381.

There were 163 new recoveries, resulting in a total of 252,665 individuals who have recovered from the virus.