MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte approved the extension of "enhanced community quarantine" (ECQ) or lockdown for the entire Luzon until April 30 to further combat the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In a press briefing today, April 7, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles confirmed the announcement of the president in his late-night public address on Monday. This follows the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
"Iyong ECQ is up to April 30, 11:59 pm. Ito ang rekomendasyon ng IATF (inter-agency task force) na tinanggap ni Pangulong Duterte at inannounce na niya kagabi. Matapos ang kanyang announcement, vinerify namin – ang enhanced community quarantine is extended until 11:59 pm of April 30," Nograles said.
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Duterte earlier said he was 'inclined' to extend the quarantine period up to April 30.
“Provided, that all exemptions granted by the Office of the President or the IATF shall continue to be in effect for the duration of the extended ECQ,” said Nograles citing IATF resolution.
“Provided further that such extension of the ECQ shall be without prejudice to the discretion of the President to relax the implementation of the ECQ in some local jurisdictions, or the granting of exemptions in favor of certain sectors, as public health considerations and food security may warrant,” IATF resolution added.
The entire Luzon, home to more than half of the country's 100-million population, is supposedly on lockdown only until April 12 in an effort to contain the outbreak.
Duterte also assures the Filipino people that the government remains committed in ensuring their welfare amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis in the country.
The president asks for patience and understanding from his kababayans as the government responds to their needs, and urges the Filipino people for prayers to heal those affected by the disease.
He also calls on everyone to rise to the challenge and uphold the spirit of solidarity in supporting each other to outlast the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of April 6, the total COVID-19 cases in the Philippines surged to 3,660 with 414 new cases. Meanwhile, death toll stands at 163 and total recoveries rose to 73.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 1.1 million were infected globally, with death toll more than 60,000.
— The Summit Express
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| President Rodrigo Duterte says OK for the extension of Luzon-wide lockdown until April 30. |
In a press briefing today, April 7, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles confirmed the announcement of the president in his late-night public address on Monday. This follows the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
"Iyong ECQ is up to April 30, 11:59 pm. Ito ang rekomendasyon ng IATF (inter-agency task force) na tinanggap ni Pangulong Duterte at inannounce na niya kagabi. Matapos ang kanyang announcement, vinerify namin – ang enhanced community quarantine is extended until 11:59 pm of April 30," Nograles said.
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Duterte earlier said he was 'inclined' to extend the quarantine period up to April 30.
“Provided, that all exemptions granted by the Office of the President or the IATF shall continue to be in effect for the duration of the extended ECQ,” said Nograles citing IATF resolution.
“Provided further that such extension of the ECQ shall be without prejudice to the discretion of the President to relax the implementation of the ECQ in some local jurisdictions, or the granting of exemptions in favor of certain sectors, as public health considerations and food security may warrant,” IATF resolution added.
The entire Luzon, home to more than half of the country's 100-million population, is supposedly on lockdown only until April 12 in an effort to contain the outbreak.
Duterte also assures the Filipino people that the government remains committed in ensuring their welfare amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis in the country.
The president asks for patience and understanding from his kababayans as the government responds to their needs, and urges the Filipino people for prayers to heal those affected by the disease.
He also calls on everyone to rise to the challenge and uphold the spirit of solidarity in supporting each other to outlast the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of April 6, the total COVID-19 cases in the Philippines surged to 3,660 with 414 new cases. Meanwhile, death toll stands at 163 and total recoveries rose to 73.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 1.1 million were infected globally, with death toll more than 60,000.
— The Summit Express
