Metro Manila mayors will meet this week to review major COVID-19 policies amid the rising cases in the country’s capital.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos said among the policies that will be reviewed are the quarantine status, curfew, and border control.
“We’re going to meet with the OCTA group this week. I’ve informed the mayors yesterday (March 9),” Abalos told CNN Philippines in an interview Wednesday, March 10.
When asked if there’s a possibility for Metro Manila to move into a stricter quarantine level, Abalos said: “We’ll see.”
“Actually, it is the recommendations of the health officials, particularly of the DOH (Department of Health) and of the OCTA group. From them, we can formulate certain programs, certain regulations that are really essential,” he added.
Abalos, however, noted that the rise in cases in Metro Manila has been “alarming.”
“We started with 3,700 when we voted for MGCQ (modified general community quarantine) February 22. Yesterday, it’s already 7,000, almost double in two weeks,” Abalos said.
Aside from curfew, border control, and quarantine measures, Abalos said he “personally” believes that testing and contract tracing should also be reviewed.