Duterte’s national address on quarantine decision to air Tuesday

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s address to the nation on his decision on quarantine measures in various areas will air Tuesday at 8 a.m., presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed in a message to reporters Monday night.

The President was supposed to speak to the nation on Monday about his decision on whether to relax or extend the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and other areas after May 15.

Duterte placed the entire Luzon in mid-March under ECQ to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

It was supposed to be lifted on April 13 but a two-week extension, ending on April 30, was approved by the President.

Before April 30, however, the Palace announced that Metro Manila and other high-risk areas for the coronavirus transmission would be kept under ECQ until May 15, while low-risk areas would be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ), under which some restrictions were relaxed.

Earlier, Malacañang said only parts of Metro Manila might remain under ECQ after May 15, depending on the severity of contagion in various localities.

As of Monday, the Department of Health has recorded 11,086 confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide with 726 deaths and 1,999 recoveries.

/atm