Jiselle Casucian

Philippines extends Covid-19 Quarantine Sample article by Jiselle Casucian President Rodrigo Duterte announced the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to contain the spread of the global pandemic via broadcast on April 24, 2020. Upon the advice of Medical experts and the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), the quarantine was extended to May 15 for the National Capital Region and other highrisk areas. Other areas deemed low risk will lift their ECQ on April 30. “Magtanong kasi ang tao—ang interesado [kayong] gustong lumabas sa bunganga ko: Kalian ba ito matapos? Ang Covid, hindi matatapos yan.” Pres. Duterte said in the live broadcast. “It will heal, and it will stay until kingdom come. Pero kung may bakuna na baka sakaling mauna tayo—maembolden yung ating mga scientists to work overtime to come up with a vaccine. Covid equals vaccine.” (“People keep asking—they are interested in the thing they want to come out of my mouth: when will this end? Covid, It will never end,” Pres. Duterte said in the live broadcast. “I will heal and it will stay until kingdom come unless if there’s a vaccine, in case we do it first. [Hopefully,] Our scientists will be emboldedned to work overtime to come up with a vaccine—Covid equals vaccine,”) Areas will be placed under general community quarantine upon the lifting of the ECQ. Workers in Categories I, II, and III will be permitted to resume their jobs during the general quarantine, otherwise shopping for basic necessities is the only reason for leaving homes. Non-leisure stores are allowed to partially open, and services like the public transport system, the airport and construction will be permitted to operate. Curfews will be placed for workers, and minors (Aged 20 and below) will not be permitted to leave their residences. Schools from higher education institutions may continue their classes under the directive of the Comission of Higher Education (CHEd). “Tiisin lang muna natin. Ako, nakikiusap sa inyo. Para lang ito sa bayan, because we are trying to limit the contamination,” the president said. (“Let’s just wait a little longer. I am begging you. This is for the country, because we are trying to limit the contamination,” the president said.) The Enhanced Community Quarantine was first declared in March 16, after the initial lockdown last March 12, 2020. As of 4:00 PM of April 25, 2020, there are 7, 294 cases of Covid-19 in the Philippines, including 792 recoveries and 494 deaths. ### --- nothing follows ---