‘PH more ready to face eased quarantine rules than impact of continued lockdown’

MANILA, Philippines — The country is ‘“more than ready” to face the consequences of easing quarantine protocols after May 15 than to deal with the impact of a continued lockdown.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda had this to say on Thursday, adding that he has “studied twice, thrice, and so many times” essential data on the crisis.

“At this time, I am prepared to say that we are more ready for the consequences of a reopening even as we await a vaccine possibly in 2021 than for the impacts of another hard lockdown as we know it,” he said in a statement.

“Human behavior in our institutions and in the public has begun to be more prepared for the ups and downs of an epidemic,” Salceda added.

However, once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)  is lifted in major areas after May 15, Salceda said he hopes the government will not “fall for the easy default of an unplanned lockdown” when there is a spike on COVID-19 cases.

He reminded the public that they must do their part in curbing the spread of the coronavirus through non-pharmaceutical interventions such as proper and frequent handwashing, wearing of face masks, and physical distancing.

Salceda also said that the National Task Force against COVID-19 “should continue to increase testing, tracing, and treatment” and achieve to conduct 30,000 tests per day for the disease by May 30.

“We were discussing just last time among the thinkgroup that the approach should be akin to supply chain management. No part of the day’s activities should disproportionately expose anyone to the possibility of infection,” he said.

The ECQ imposed over Metro Manila and some “high risk” areas, which was extended twice since March 17, will lapse on May 15.

GSG