NCR mayors want stricter protocols

The MMDA chief said the agency has prepared for a possible surge in Covid cases due to the Delta variant.

Most of them just want to stay at home, but Delta is very infectious. It should never be allowed.

All local executives of the National Capital Region have recommended to the Inter-Agency Task Force the adoption of stricter protocols due to the emerging threat of the more contagious Delta variant.

Benhur Abalos Jr., Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair, said the present situation is very fluid and left the announcement of the new quarantine classification for Metro Manila to the Palace.

Members of Metro Manila Council, composed of the 17 Metro Manila Mayors, met on Thursday night to discuss the policy allowing children five years old and above to go to open-air venues such as parks. However, they were surprised about the new developments, particularly the more deadly Covid variant initially monitored in India and Indonesia.

Even the Department of Health confirmed the local transmission of the Delta variant, earlier reporting 12 new local cases, bringing the total cases in the Philippines to 47 individuals.

Because of this, Abalos said there should be stricter protocols in place, particularly in Metro Manila.

The MMDA chief said the agency has prepared for a possible surge in Covid cases due to the Delta variant, with 5,775 contact tracers tapped and testing kits and isolation centers in place.

Metro Manila has 86 isolation centers, and 46 of these are being used in different localities.

The MMDA chief said if there is clustering, a granular lockdown should be held in the location along with immediate isolation.

There will be no home quarantine though, even if most patients don’t want to stay at quarantine centers.

“Most of them just want to stay at home, but Delta is very infectious. It should never be allowed,” Abalos said.

He stressed the importance of immediate testing, tracing and isolation to contain the possible spread of infection.

He said the local chief executives themselves can apply for granular lockdowns if there is clustering and protocols are in place.