In an online briefing held recently, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said that quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila are likely to be further eased by January 2021, if the region keeps recording low numbers in COVID cases.
Secretary Lopez expressed hope that the numbers continue to fall even during the Christmas season so that by January, ‘there’s a likelihood that we can be on modified GCQ (general community quarantine.” This is the most relaxed lockdown level.
At the same time, restrictions based on age could also be eased to improve retail consumption, he added.
Aside from Metro Manila, other areas under GCQ until end-December are Batangas, Iloilo City, Tacloban City, Lanao del Sur, Iligan, Davao City, and Davao del Norte. The rest of the country are under modified GCQ.
Secretary Lopez also announced last week that he tested positive for COVID-19 earlier and has been in isolation since his exposure to an infected person.
Photo credit: bworld online.com