2-week lockdown fake news, says Año

July 12, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has denied that the government would implement another lockdown for two weeks in the country amid the surge in coronavirus cases.

A Facebook post quoting a member from Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) said President Rodrigo Duterte would enforce a total lockdown in the entire country where even establishments would be closed for two weeks.

“That’s fake news,” Año said Saturday.

Año earlier said it was still too early to say what would be Duterte’s decision on the community quarantine situation in Metro Manila.

However, he said there is a possibility that Cebu City would be downgraded to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) or general community quarantine (GCQ) after July 15.

The secretary said if people would continue to violate and not cooperate on the health protocols set by the government, authorities would be stricter in apprehending and reminding violators.

The entire Luzon island was placed under ECQ by Duterte last March and it lasted for three months as a measure to control the spread of coronavirus.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Saturday that the COVID-19 cases in the country increased to 54,222, with 14, 037 recoveries and 1,372 deaths. Ella Dionisio/DMS