Iloilo City is poised to slide down from General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to the more relaxed Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) by September 2020.
The shift indicates that the city has somehow slowed down the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Mayor Jerry Treñas announced in a press conference on Friday that the metro will be placed under MGCQ from Sept 1-30 as proposed by the national Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) on the management of emerging infectious diseases.
The mayor, however, pointed out that this is only a proposal and he is set to meet with the city’s COVID-19 Team to discuss their recommendations on the matter.
“I was informed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that the proposed quarantine status for Iloilo City will be MGCQ for the entire month of September,” he said.
According to the mayor, they are given until Saturday to appeal the proposal.
Under MGCQ, Treñas said the liquor ban implemented in the city might be lifted. Curfew hours will also be adjusted, and operating capacity of restaurants will be allowed up to 75%
“Gapreparar aton COVID team kay basi masulod kita sa MGCQ by Sept 1. Posible dira sa MGCQ dula-on ang alcohol ban, ang mga restaurants mas lawig i-operate, kag halos tanan nga negosyo allowed na to operate,” he said.
As more activities will be allowed under the MGCQ, the mayor appealed for cooperation from the public as COVID-19 cases in the city are still increasing.
“We don’t want to be like another Cebu or Bacolod. Ilabi nga ma-MGCQ na kita. Gapangayo gid ko bulig sa inyo para mapasiguro ang mga health protocols mapatuman,” he said.
Treñas said he will also tap the help of local media in informing the public about health protocols to be practiced against COVID-19.
Iloilo City was placed under GCQ by the NIATF from August 16 to August 31 following the surge in COVID-19 cases. (ERS)
