For areas put under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), the next step would be the transition to the “new normal.” This decision is now up to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), says the Palace.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque raised the possibility that the IATF-EID might downgrade the classification of community quarantine in places under MGCQ and general community quarantine (GCQ).
“We now have quite a number of provinces under MGCQ and GCQ. So when we talk about revisions, we’ll see if we can have a lower classification – new normal for those under MGCQ, or MGCQ for those that are still in GCQ,” Roque said.
It can only be considered a new normal when areas in the country are no longer under community quarantine.
Before an area can be considered as being under the new normal, the community quarantine implemented there needs to transition first into MGCQ.
On Tuesday, Malacañang said there was a likelihood of again imposing stricter quarantine restrictions in areas where coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections continue to rise.
Roque said the IATF-EID’s decision on quarantine classifications beginning June 16 would depend on “scientific” data.
“The most important, of course, is what will happen on June 16 and I think the entire nation is clearly awaiting the decision of the IATF. Now, I would like to stress that actually, when we decide whether or not to ease further or to retain the classification is always scientific data,” he said.
The IATF-EID would decide on Wednesday afternoon about the possible relaxation or tightening of quarantine rules in the country on June 16. They would be flying to Davao City to meet with the president.
Roque said the IATF-EID would be implement extra care in assessing the situation in Metro Manila and Cebu City where the number of Covid-19 cases continues to increase.
