MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila and its close provinces will remain under general community quarantine with restrictions starting July 1 till July 15 as COVID-19 cases continue to drop. The pandemic task force in a taped meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday recommended to keep the quarantine restrictions in the capital region and four provinces despite a decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. This was after the independent OCTA Research Group urged the national government to keep the GCQ status for NCR Plus. Health authorities and experts have noted that while the situation in the capital region has improved, an uptrend in infections was detected in 12 other regions, especially the Davao Region. These include more urbanized locations such as the cities of Iloilo, Naga, Lucena, Cagayan de Oro and Puerto Princesa.

Source: Philippine Star June 28, 2021 15:10 UTC