Despite the expected post-holiday surge in cases of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Metro Manila and other areas currently under general community quarantine (GCQ) will retain their classification up to next month.
This after President Rodrigo R. Duterte announced in his public address on Monday that he has approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) on the new classifications.
Aside from the National Capital Region (NCR), other areas, which will remain under GCQ are Isabela; Santiago City; Batangas; Iloilo City; Tacloban; Lanao Del Sur; Iligan City; Davao City; and Davao Del Norte.
He said areas that are not included in the list will be placed under modified GCQ (MGCQ).
The list may still change subject to the appeal of the affected local government units (LGU).
The new classifications will be in effect from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, 2021.
Health officials earlier said they are bracing for an increase in infected cases by next month as people celebrated the Christmas holidays.
Image credits: Roy Domingo