New quarantine classification over Metro Manila may be out Friday – Palace

Residents of Lupang Pangako in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City receive cash aid thru the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) at the Lupang Pangako Covered Court in Quezon City on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, as the local governments of Metro Manila simultaneously distribute aid to affected families of the two-week hard lockdown or enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).-INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte may announce the new quarantine classification over Metro Manila on Friday, August 20, the last day of the reimposed enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the nation’s capital region.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Thursday the President has a tentative public address scheduled on Friday, where the Chief Executive may announce the updated lockdown status.

“Yes, there is a tentative ‘Talk to the People’ on Friday. I think we expect the President to announce it [quarantine classifications] unless he will give the authorization to have it announced earlier,” he said in a Palace briefing.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) is set to meet Thursday afternoon to discuss new quarantine classifications, after which they will make a recommendation to the President.

Duterte in turn may accept or reject their recommendations.

Metro Manila went back to the strictest ECQ since August 6 in a bid to preempt the possible increase in COVID-19 cases due to the dreaded coronavirus Delta variant.

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