MGCQ nationwide doable in Q1

MANILA, Philippines — A shift to the most relaxed modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) for all parts of the country could be achieved within the first quarter, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said yesterday.

“It’s still very much doable, but there is a new coronavirus disease variant so we have to be extra careful in our decisions, even on age restriction and possible movement to MGCQ,” Lopez said during the Presidential Communications Operations Office virtual briefing when asked if such scenario is still possible, as announced last year.

He said President Duterte has directed government agencies to study further the new COVID variant.

“It might spread and derail efforts in the continuous lowering of COVID cases month-on-month. We will study further and we will know, depending on the numbers. I think we can see there was no big surge (in cases),” he said.

“We will go there. Our mindset is balancing health and economy,” he added.

Lopez said the government – through a newly formed committee – is studying what other sectors could be allowed to reopen. Among those being considered are museums and other tourism places. Most parts of the country are already under MGCQ.

Those under GCQ for the month of February are Metro Manila, Davao City, Cordillera Administrative Region, Tacloban City, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Iligan City.