Expect local government units (LGUs) to get really serious with granular lockdowns during the upcoming modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos said the granular lockdown will be among the tools that the Metro mayors will have at their disposal in the continuing fight to control the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"With the MECQ classification in effect, granular lockdowns shall be intensified, with the LGUs identifying areas where there are spikes in COVID-19 cases," Abalos said in a statement Friday afternoon, Aug. 20.
Late Thursday night, Malacañang announced that the National Capital Region (NCR) would switch to an MECQ from Aug. 21 to 31. This, after the metropolis underwent two weeks of ECQ, the strictest quarantine level that equates to a hard, widespread lockdown.
"Even prior to the announcement, the Metro local government units have been imposing granular lockdowns in their respective jurisdictions," Abalos said.
To learn more about granular lockdowns, click here.
"LGUs shall also double-up its mass testing, immediate isolation, and contact tracing to control further the transmission of coronavirus disease cases," said Abalos, the concurrent chairman of the Metro Manila Council (MMC).
The MMC is composed of the 17 Metro mayors. It serves as the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.
"We will coordinate and work closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the strict implementation of granular lockdowns as well as observance and compliance to minimum health protocols.
"We shall also request the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to make available more hotels as standby isolation facilities as COVID cases are continuously rising and some hospitals have reached full capacities," Abalos said.