Laguna will be staying under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status until August 20, 2021, to slow down the surge of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the province.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the announcement a day after announcing that the province would shift to modified ECQ (MECQ) beginning August 16.
In a statement, Roque said the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases made the decision following the recommendation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
"The IATF has extended the of Laguna until August 20, 2021, upon the recommendation of the and after consultation with the local government of Laguna," he said Saturday, August 14.
The Palace official explained that the decision to keep Laguna in ECQ was aimed at slowing down the surge of COVID-19 cases in the province.
"This latest ECQ re-classification was made to maximize its effects, slow down the surge of COVID-19 cases, further stop the spread of variants and improve health system capacity to protect more lives in the aforesaid area," Roque said.
"This is in pursuant with Executive Order 112 giving authority to the IATF to impose, lift, or extend a community quarantine in provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities," he added.
Laguna was initially placed under ECQ until August 15, 2021, de-escalated to MECQ beginning August 16 until August 31, 2021, until this present amendment of reverting to ECQ status.
Aside from Laguna, Metro Manila was also placed under ECQ until August 20, 2021.
Meanwhile, Bataan will be under strict lockdown until August 22, 2021.