By Noreen Jazul
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said "there is a reason" for the government to lift the "very strict" enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in connection with the fight against COVID-19.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor and former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno
(KEVIN ESPIRITU / MANILA BULLETIN)
In an interview with CNN Philippines on Thursday, Diokno said Luzon and regions placed under quarantine can go into a “transition period” after April 14 to allow more economic activity in the country.
“Agriculture can proceed, and some manufacturing. We can operate now the MRT (Metro Rail Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit), and some buses,” Diokno said.
Malls on the other hand must remain closed, according to Diokno.
“We can open some restaurants, but it will be strictly for take out or maybe deliveries,” he added.
Diokno said the government can also partially open some businesses starting April 15.
“Maybe another month then we can go on normalization mode after that,” he said.
Diokno, however, clarified that during the “transition period,” lessening of people in the streets will still continue.
“There will still be a lot of work from home, classes will remain closed, no sports vents, concerts, things like that,” he said.