Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año revealed that experts are warning that there could be adverse impact if the enhanced community quarantine will be lifted soon.
“Balewala lahat itong ginawa natin itong isang buwan na lockdown. Balewala lahat ito kasi balik ka ulit sa zero,” Año said in a radio interview.
Año said that medical experts say that data show that the quarantine should be maintained to avoid a relapse and rise of new coronavirus disease or COVID-19 cases.
“Ang sabi nila kapagka ni-lift mo kaagad ‘yung lockdown, masasayang ‘yung ating gains. Magkakaroon ng relapse, ‘yung tinatawag na second round which we may find hard to contain ‘yung tinatawag natin na surge kasi hindi pa nga tayo nakarating doon sa tinatawag na surge ng curve,” he added.
Año said he believes that the government is successful in handling the quarantine, but a lot of things are still happening before the country can say that it has won over the pandemic.
“Marami pa diyan nakakalat na mga positive cases na asymptomatic na continuous nagis-spread. Hindi pa natin na-set up nang husto ‘yung mga massive testing natin all around the country. Hindi pa rin naihiwalay nang husto ‘yung ating mga PUMs at PUIs.
“Nasa danger pa rin ‘yung community para magkaroon ng spread at the same time kailangan ihanda natin ‘yung healthcare facilities,” he added.
Previously, Año said that extending the quarantine period could have an adverse effect on the economy.
“So sayang naman ‘yung sinimulan mo na. Kumbaga i-sustain mo na. Kumbaga kung hanggang kaya natin tiisin ay titiisin natin,” he said.
