The Philippine economy could sustain long-term damage if the strictest form of lockdown is imposed again to control the spread of COVID-19, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Saturday (August 29).
“We can no longer afford to revert to a higher quarantine status of MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) or ECQ because that will irreversibly injure if not damage the economy beyond repair,” Duque said during the ceremonial launching of “Mask Para sa Masa” initiative in Quezon City.
Duque said the number and capacity of quarantine facilities should instead be expanded to manage any surge in COVID-19 cases as the economy opens up.
The Philippine economy fell into recession for the first time in 29 years in the second quarter of 2020, with its gross domestic product plunging 16.5 percent in April to June from a year earlier.
Movement of people were limited after President Rodrigo Duterte placed Metro Manila and other high-risk areas under ECQ– the strictest form of lockdown– from March 17 to May 15, followed by a slightly relaxed MECQ until May 31.
Metro Manila and four nearby provinces were reverted to MECQ from August 4 to 18 in response to healthcare workers’ plea for a break as the medical system was getting overwhelmed. The capital is currently under a more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ).
The post Kailangang lumabas mga tao! Duque: Economy to be damaged ‘beyond repair’ if ECQ imposed anew first appeared on Latest Philippine politics news today.
Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)
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