DILG confident Luzon-wide quarantine will be lifted by April 13

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has expressed confidence that the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine will be lifted at midnight on April 13.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, however, noted that this does not mean that other reminders to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will no longer be observed.

“We have to assess but I’m confident that we can,” Año said Wednesday in a press briefing.

“But of course it doesn’t mean that’s the end of the spread. We have to still continue the practice of strict social distancing,” he added.

The strict quarantine measure imposed by President Rodrigo Duterte suspended public transportation, prohibited mass gatherings and even ordered the temporary closure of some businesses, excluding essential establishments like hospitals, groceries and drug stores.

Meanwhile, Año said the government is not yet inclined to impose the same strict measure over Visayas and Mindanao.

“Sa ngayon, hindi pa naman kailangan buong Visayas at Mindanao para tuloy tuloy pa rin yung normal na buhay lalo na sa trabaho at food production,” Año said.

“But if there’s a necessity and depending on the development, ia-assess ng IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease] yan,” he added.

Health officials have so far confirmed 552 COVID-19 cases in the country, of which 35 had already died and 20 had recovered.

/MUF