”Not advisable to extend the lockdown because our economy will suffer”: Año

March 30, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday said it is not advisable for now to extend the one-month enhanced community quarantine as it will greatly affect the economy.

In a radio interview, Año said the increase of positive coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients is due to the availability of test kits.

“But it doesn’t mean that there is exponential (increase) because if we compare to other countries, if we did not impose lockdown maybe we reach around 20,000 cases now… maybe there will still be an increase but that will not be what we so-called alarming,” he said.

“It is not advisable to extend the lockdown because our economy will suffer… the remaining two week, if we will be serious on this, we can solve this,” he added.

Año said extending the EQC will depend on the number of positive cases in the country and the recommendation from the interagency task force and national task force COVID. 

“What we can see in the next two week is we will enforce the use of face masks and (following the) social distancing, (the number) will be lowered and from there the IATF and national task force covid will talk on what other measures we need to assure that we will have zero case,” he said.

The secretary said if the positive cases of infected patients increased, it only showed that the people is not following the calls of the government to stay at home.

“Well if the number reached 5,000 or 10,000 it means a lot of people are hard-headed and violating the lockdown… Whether you are afflicted with virus or not, stay home… you will not get infected and you will not get other infected, that’s very simple,” Año said.

As the country reached its 15 day of quarantine, Año said they are now only facing minimal problems in checkpoints when it comes to the delivery of foods and supplies.

“Some minor problem on checkpoints where some local government officials and barangays are not allowing the passage of food cargo and exempted workers… but we already resolving it,” he said.

Año reiterated his warning to local officials that those who will not follow the national guidelines and will create their own implementation of lockdown will face two months imprisonment, preventive suspension and P1 million fine.

“But so far, I can see that all LGU officials are following (the guidelines)… if they overdo it and received a call from DILG, they immediately adjust,” he said. Ella Dionisio/DMS