DTI chief: Eased restrictions in Metro Manila possible if . . .

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said there was a chance that Metro Manila would ease into a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) next month, if the January figures on COVID-19 cases improve. For Metro Manila to shift to an MGCQ in February, Lopez told reporters that this would depend on the latest figures on COVID-19 cases. Nevertheless, he said both the economic team and most members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) were supportive of this. “[That will be] depending on January COVID-19 numbers. But yes, if the numbers would show continued improvement in [COVID-19] cases, the economic team as well as most members of IATF are ready to support the deescalation to MGCQ,” he said on Saturday. Lopez said a gradual and safe reopening with strict compliance to health measures was the right approach. —Roy Stephen C. Canivel