Ten areas, including Metro Manila, will stay under general community quarantine (GCQ) for the whole month of January 2021, President Duterte announced Monday amid fresh appeals to stay at home as much as possible to avoid coronavirus infection.
Also placed under GCQ are Isabela, Santiago City, Batangas, Iloilo City, Tacloban City, Lanao del sur, Iligan City, Davao City and Davao del Norte from January 1 to 31, 2021 to help curb the spread of COVID-19, according to the President.
The rest of the country will remain under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), the most relaxed of the four lockdown levels implemented by the government to stem the outbreak.
The President said the latest quarantine classification of these places would take effect next month subject to the appeal of concerned local government units.
“Stay home if it is really possible. It’s for your own good and then the washing of the hands,” the President reminded the public during a televised address Monday night.
As of December 28, the country has recorded 470,650 coronavirus cases with 9,124 deaths.
The government has gradually relaxed the quarantine restrictions to revitalize the economy since June but has appealed to the public to continue to observe health protocols to avoid a post-holiday surge of infections.
The public has been required to wear masks and face shields whenever leaving their houses to avoid getting the dreaded disease. (Genalyn Kabiling)
