NCR mayors bat for tighter quarantine protocols amid COVID-19 Delta variant scare

File photo shows a resident riding her bicycle past armed soldiers along a street in Navotas City Manila amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. (AFP file photo) 

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila mayors have recommended stricter quarantine rules following the detection of local transmission of the COVID-19 Delta variant in the country, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Friday.

MMDA chairperson Benhur Abalos said new quarantine classifications are expected to be announced by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

Back to MECQ?

“We were surprised to know about new developments, about these new Delta variants. As you have mentioned, we now have additional 12 [new cases] in the country. Because of this, let Spox Harry just announce it later, the quarantine status,” Abalos said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.

“Our recommendations of course are for stricter, for stricter quarantine,” he added.

Pressed if “stricter quarantine” meant returning to the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), Abalos replied: “With some conditions.”

Local transmission

The Department of Health (DOH) recently confirmed the local transmission of the COVID-19 Delta variant in the Philippines.

The DOH reported 12 more Delta variant cases, bringing the country’s total number of cases to 47.

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