Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. raised the possibility of placing Metro Manila under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) or to a more stricter community quarantine as the general community quarantine (GCQ) nears its end. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier warned that Metro Manila would be placed under stricter community quarantine if the number of Covid-19 cases continues to spike and deaths do not slow down. Duterte initially wanted to place Metro Manila under MECQ but decided to retain the GCQ classification in the area. Roque admitted that a stricter quarantine classification could lead to an economic recession. The DILG chief said that factors would be considered in deciding whether Metro Manila would be placed under stricter quarantine classification.
Source: Manila Times July 22, 2020 16:30 UTC