Business Groups Air Sentiments, Hope Over ECQ in Metro Manila
BUSINESS GROUPS – Some groups of businessmen in Metro Manila reacted to the possibility of extending the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
The Philippine national government doubled the efforts in preventing the spread of COVID-19 by re-imposing stricter community quarantine measures. It was after the Delta variant which hooked attention for its higher transmissibility rate was detected in the country.
The Delta variant caused a spike in the COVID-19 cases in several nations abroad. In India where it was first recorded, it caused the collapse of their healthcare system. Travel bans are implemented by several nations now to arrest its spread.
In PH, Metro Manila and several other areas are back under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). It is no secret to the public that it can greatly affect the economy but the alarm of the possibility that the variant of concern may bring ring louder.
visit: IATF Speaks on Possibility of PH Becoming the ‘Next India, Indonesia’
Starting August 6, Metro Manila is under ECQ, the strictest community quarantine measure. It is a 2-week strict lockdown until August 20.
However, currently, there are talks about possibly extended the Metro Manila ECQ. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, it sparked reactions from business groups amid the crisis.
According to restaurant owner Charliebebs Gohetia, he is hoping that the ECQ will not anymore be extended as it greatly affects the businesses in Maginhawa. The talks contain that the measure may be extended for another week after August 20.
Based on the report, Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) President Sergio Ortiz-Luis expressed that the response for the health and economy must be balanced. According to him, the numbers must not be sensationalized as the employees are already having a hard time.
As for the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), another 5-week lockdown could make PH lose the gains it had in between previous lockdowns. PCCI acting president Edgardo Lacson said that it may also hamper the momentum of the businesses in moving forward.
Amid the business groups worrying about the possibility of extending the ECQ in Metro Manila, the Department of Health (DOH) stands that it is still the call of the national government with the IATF. The Health Department said that the IATF assured to carefully study the date.
More updates may be posted soon. Thank you for visiting Philnews.ph. You may express your thoughts and reactions below through the comment section. You may also follow us on Facebook, on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel Philnews Ph.
READ ALSO: Some PH Hospitals Hit Full Capacity For COVID-19 Cases amid Upward Trend