Antique province wants to retain its current general community quarantine (GCQ) classification following the initial proposal to place it under a stricter modified enhanced community quarantine classification (MECQ).
Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao on Wednesday said the escalated classification is not healthy for the economy. “We can’t close-open our economy,” she said.
The national Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has recommended the province be placed under MECQ from July 16-31.
Cadiao manifested the position of the province during the virtual meeting with the Western Visayas Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF 6) and the Regional Task Force (RTF) Against Covid-19. She said the reclassification would mean restriction in the movement of people.
Dr. Leoncio Abiera, Jr. of the Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) said during the meeting that the province is still classified under moderate risk based on the number of Covid-19 cases.
“The province is under moderate risk that is why we can appeal for the GCQ,” he said.
He said the province, from June 30-July 13, has 10 to 11 average daily cases.
The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WVCHD) situational report on Covid-19 cases as of July 13 showed that Antique is classified as moderate both in growth in cases and an average daily attack rate (ADAR).
He also said that Antique, as of the July 14 report of the IPHO, has 431 active cases, 2,098 recoveries, and 124 deaths.
The Antique mayors attending the meeting said they are supportive of the province remaining under GCQ because of the effect on the economy and that Covid-19 cases in their municipalities are manageable.
The letter-appeal of the province was submitted to the national IATF before 5 p.m. of Wednesday together with the appeals of other provinces and cities in Western Visayas and the joint resolution of the RIATF 6 and the RTF recommending for a status quo of the quarantine classifications in the region.
Source: Philippines News Agency