Extend MECQ to 1 month? Palace cites need for balance between health, economy

By Prince Golez

The policy response to coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has to balance health security with economic interests, according to Malacañang.

Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement Monday, in response to a proposal to extend the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces until the end of the month.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier placed the National Capital Region and the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal under MECQ after the medical frontliners appealed for a two-week timeout as infections continue to increase.

“On the suggestion to make the MECQ effective for one month, this is a decision that has to be made by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases,” Roque told reporters.

“It entails a delicate balancing of protecting and saving people’s health to protecting and saving the economic health of the nation,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Palace official said the effects of the implementation of strict lockdown in the abovementioned areas would be felt “two to three weeks” after its enforcement.

“The incubation period for Covid-19, according to health experts, is 14 days so we just have to wait for that time to ascertain the health impact of the MECQ classification,” he explained.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)