Año hopes COVID-19 cases will decrease during MECQ

August 7, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday said he is optimistic coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country will decrease during the 15 day modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) imposed in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces.

In an interview with reporters, Año said he is not hoping that MECQ, which will end on August 18, will be extended as the country still needs to open the economy.

“We really want to open the economy. Balance between health and economy. We are looking at the figures and I am optimistic that with the 15 days MECQ it will decrease,” he said.

Año again urged the public to follow minimum health standard protocols set by the Department of Health (DOH) so there is no need to extend the current community quarantine.

“What we need to do is to follow… stay at home. Our health workers, contact tracers are having a hard time because of the movement of the people,” he said.

“With 15 days staying at home we can kill the virus because the incubation period or 14 days (period) can kill the virus… So please do your part,” he added.

As to the Philippines being the most infected among the Southeast Asian countries, Año said no country could say they are successful in fighting the virus.

“Nobody can say when it is over. Until there is no vaccine, no country could ever say they are successful. Look at Japan, Italy, even Vietnam and Singapore, their (number) spike. Japan immediately opened so now they have to lock down again,” he said.

Año  said instead of comparing their actions to other countries, they study their best practices and apply it.

“Then we focus on doing what is appropriate and proper and practical rather than everyday compare yourself ( to other countries), it will just be hard for you. We are focused on like, for example, here in MECQ we will just continue on working and the numbers will improve. We tried it when we were under ECQ... What we need is continuous effort and rest assured all best practices in other countries are being studied,” Año said.

As of August 7, the DOH has recorded 119,460 COVID-19 cases with 66,837 recoveries and 2,150 deaths. Ella Dionisio/DMS