Localized lockdowns, no gatherings and home quarantines to curb COVID-19 surge, says solon

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday proposed “strict” localized lockdowns led by local government units (LGU) to curb the spike of COVID-19 cases in the country.

On Twitter, Gatchalian issued five suggestions that could “[s]top the COVID surge.”

He called for “strict LGU-led localize[d] lockdowns,” saying the imposition of an enhanced community quarantine, the most stringent quarantine qualification, would be “painful.”

Further, the senator said no gatherings “whatsoever” should be allowed.

Stop the COVID surge:

1. Strict LGU-led localize lockdowns (ECQ is painful)
2. No gatherings whatsoever (I would not allow even 10 pax)
3. NCR cities should have their own PCR testing labs
4. No home quarantines (families are infected)
5. Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine

— Sherwin Gatchalian (@stgatchalian) March 21, 2021

In its latest resolution, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases prohibited mass gatherings anew but allowed weddings, baptisms and funeral services attended by a maximum of 10 people.

“I would not allow even 10 pax,” Gatchalian said.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian,  (Albert Calvelo/Senate PRIB)

He also proposed that cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) have their respective reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing laboratories.

“No home quarantines (families are infected),” he added.

“Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine,” he further stressed.

REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

President Rodrigo Duterte recently approved the latest IATF resolution placing Metro Manila and nearby provinces Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under the general community quarantine (GCQ) from Mar. 22 until April 4.

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