Due to the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, the Enhanced Community Quarantine mandated by the national government to ensure the containment of the virus was extended until April 30, 2020.
But a lot of Filipinos believe that the ECQ would not be probably be lifted after the end of the month and the possibility of extension is highly possible.
Recently, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he would lift the enhanced community quarantine once the “antibody medicine” becomes available on the market.
“Kung meron na ‘yan tapos makita ko na ginagamit na ng tao, ili-lift ko ang quarantine. Tutal kung magkasakit kayo may antibodies naman tayo mabili.”
Several senators favor a possible extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine. Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, Senator Imee Marcos suggested a modified community quarantine where only critical businesses will be opened.
“Hence, we should expect only critical businesses will be allowed to fully open—medical production, importation, and distribution, food chain sectors, essential transport, communication, general services, and maintenance.”
Senate President Vicente Sotto III also believes in the extension of the ECQ, saying that it should be lifted if there is already no sight of the virus.
“I would rather play the conservative card and side with a continuing lockdown if no clear evidence of a solution to the virus is in sight.”
President Rodrigo Duterte is aware that despite the availability of the antibody, the Philippines would not be able to have it immediately.
“Mayroon nang medisina, antibody, ang isang giant pharmaceutical pero hindi galing sa tao. Sabi by May, they would start to market it,ang problema sabi nga, we are on the last ladder. Ang mauna niyan ‘yung mga mayayaman,”
As of 4PM of April 15, 2020, the Department of Health reports additional 230 new cases of COVID 19 in the country, which totals in 5,453 number of cases.
