THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hopes to finalize the granular lockdown guidelines soon in time for the rescheduled pilot testing in Metro Manila.
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez told reporters on Thursday that the granular lockdown implementation was deferred as the government continues to finalize the related guidelines—a sudden move that caught many people by surprise, throwing off-track many businesses making preparations for the shift from a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), and inviting criticism.
“Hope to finalize guidelines soon so we can start after that date,” he said, referring to September 15 when the MECQ is lifted in the National Capital Region (NCR).
“We want granular lockdown system to be more balanced in allowing more economic activities and jobs while keeping control of Covid Delta cases, the DTI chief said.
The lockdown protocol in NCR was supposed to be eased to general community quarantine (GCQ) with alert level scheme by September 8, as it was also subject to pilot testing of granular lockdown measure.
A day before the shift to GCQ, however, the Covid-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) said the MECQ was extended until September 15 for NCR, deferring implementation of the previously announced measure.
Lopez earlier said that the granular lockdown guidelines break down the degree of restrictions into levels 1-4; with 4 being the most restrictive. He stressed that people are not allowed to go in and out of the vicinity under lockdown, except for health-care workers.
The lockdown may be placed for 14 days, he said, explaining that the period may be adjusted depending on the situation.
The sudden shift to MECQ by the government was heavily criticized by the business sector, saying it should be careful when making pronouncements as they affect operations.
Among those who aired their dismay was Edgardo G. Lacson, acting president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Lacson said that the “cancellation of the implementation of granular lockdown diminishes the credibility of official policy announcements.”
Image courtesy of Nonoy Lacza