MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease has formally recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the extension of Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine until April 30, 2020.
IATF spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles noted that the ECQ’s implementing guidelines will remain in effect unless changed by the President.
“The IATF formally recommends to the Office of the President the extension of the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in the entirety of Luzon up to April 30, 2020, 11:59 PM,” Nograles said Tuesday in a virtual briefing.
“Provided, that all exemptions granted by the Office of the President or the IATF shall continue to be in effect for the duration of the extended ECQ. Provided further that such extension of the ECQ shall be without prejudice to the discretion of the President to relax the implementation of the ECQ in some local jurisdictions, or the granting of exemptions in favor of certain sectors, as public health considerations and food security may warrant,” he added.
The President, during his public address Monday night, said the government is “inclined” to extend the strict quarantine measure.
The Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine was expected to be lifted by midnight of April 13.
The measure suspended public transportation, prohibited mass gatherings and even ordered the temporary closure of some businesses, excluding hospitals, groceries and drug stores, and other essential establishments.
The Philippines has so far recorded 3,660 cases of COVID-19 and 163 fatalities.