MANILA, Philippines — Heavy traffic was seen at the northbound lane of Edsa in Balintawak, Quezon City on Saturday, the first day of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila.
The MECQ is being enforced by the national government in Metro Manila and seven other areas from May 16 to May 31, following the end of the stricter enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cebu City and Mandaue City will remain under ECQ until the end of the month.
Heavy traffic at the northbound lane in Balintawak, Quezon City on May 16, 2020, during the modified enhanced community quarantine. Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer
The following are now allowed by the government under MECQ: limited movement of people to buy essential goods and avail of essential services and going to work; gradual reopening of the economy with select manufacturing and processing plants allowed to open up to a maximum of 50 percent capacity; limited transportation services for essential goods and services; and limited transportation for those going to work and for essential services.
Heavy traffic at the northbound lane in Balintawak, Quezon City on May 16, 2020, during the modified enhanced community quarantine. Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer
Physical classroom classes are still suspended under the quarantine setup.
The latest data from Quezon City local government showed the city already has 1,804 confirmed cases of COVID-19. A total of 147 individuals have died and 466 have recovered.
Ayon sa Department of Health, 1804 na ang bilang ng nagpositibong kaso ng #COVID19PH sa lungsod. 1646 dito ang may kumpletong address sa QC. Umabot naman sa 1453 ang kumpirmado ng ating QC Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CESU). pic.twitter.com/lyDesyerUX
— Quezon City Government (@QCGov) May 15, 2020
As of Saturday, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has already reached 12,305. The death toll is now at 817 while the number of recoveries is at 2,561.