MANILA, Philippines – The government’s task force on COVID-19 response has placed Davao City under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from June 5 to 20 due to increasing COVID-19 cases in the area.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the announcement a day after the Davao City government requested for the MECQ implementation in the city to address the surge of infections.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio earlier asked the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to implement a stricter quarantine classification to “allow a circuit breaker in the surge of patients inside hospitals.”
Duterte-Carpio said beds at the Southern Philippines Medical Center are now at a critical utilization rate while its Intensive Care Units are already full. Two private hospitals in the city have also reached full capacity.
Roque also announced that the IATF has likewise placed the General Santos City under general community quarantine (GCQ) from June 5 to 20.
Under MECQ, only essential trips are allowed and non-essential businesses and services will be temporarily shutdown.
GCQ, on the other hand, allows travel for leisure subject to compliance with local government guidelines.
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