Palace tells LGUs to prepare for granular lockdowns

Malacañang is urging local government units (LGUs) to implement granular lockdowns if COVID-19 cases surge in their respective areas.

This call follows an increase in Metro Manila's COVID-19 positivity rate to over 5%, with the Omicron variant potentially being the cause.

According to ULAP national president and Quirino Gov. Dakila Cua, LGUs are ready for granular lockdowns and are considering the case doubling rate, healthcare capacity, and concentration of cases in imposing them.

While COVID-19 cases were declining, LGUs have been establishing and maintaining isolation units and healthcare capacity.

Despite the uptick in cases, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año stated there is still no basis to raise the alert level in the country.

OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David warned that the spike could be more than just a holiday uptick.