UPDATE Ano confirms Metro Manila mayors want GCQ to continue in December

October 19, 2020

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano confirmed in an interview with CNN Philippines Monday that Metro Manila mayors want the general community quarantine status to remain until December.

He said officials fear an upsurge in COVID-19 cases may happen during the Christmas season which officially starts during the nine-day early dawn masses from December 15 observed by the Catholic Church.

Ano said relaxation of restrictions aimed at containing the pandemic will continue as the part of the gradual reopening of the economy.

He said that if COVID-19 cases continue to decline, there might still be a possibility of changing the quarantine classification of Metro Manila from GCQ to MGCQ ( modified general community quarantine).

Earlier,  Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia said Metro Manila will remain under GCQ until December. DMS