Return of ECQ possible after crowds troop to malls

Strict lockdown protocols may be reimposed after crowds who filled shopping malls allegedly ignored still prevailing quarantine rules last May 16, first day of easing of protocols, according to Malacanang.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said it was “understandable” people wanted to go out of their homes after two months of restricted movement but this could lead to a new spike in COVID-19 cases in the country and thus possibly reimpose enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in areas where rules were relaxed.

“Kung tayo po ay lalabas ng napakarami at hindi mag-o-observe ng social distanding, unang-una babalik po tayo sa ECQ. Sabi ko naman po, hindi naman po nakataga sa bato ‘yan na tayo ay nasa MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) na,” said Roque during a televised press briefing in Malacañang.

“Pero ‘pag dumami pa rin at hindi natin kakayaning magbigay ng critical care doon sa mga magkakasakit, lalo po tayong balik sa kulungan. ECQ uli,” he added.

Some sectors began operating on a limited scale on May 16 in areas under MECQ in order to reactivate the economy that was seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many social media posts showed mall-goers in the metropolis violating physical distancing rules, raising alarm from various sectors.

Roque stressed the threat of the Interior Department that malls will be shut down if they do not strictly implement physical distancing and crowd control measures.

“May legal possibility po ‘yan. Kinakailangan ipatupad ang requirements ng IATF. So meron ding criminal liability ‘yan if they do not exert or if they do not fulfill the obligation na dapat ginagawa nila,” he said.