PH can’t remain in lockdown forever – DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) said that the country cannot “remain in lockdown forever” amid criticism that it was premature to revert Metro Manila back to the General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
Based on studies conducted by the country’s economic managers, DOH undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said if the country continues to be placed under lockdown, a lot of people will go hungry and certain diseases will become evident. Vergeire added that the government “has to balance between health and economics because economics also has health impacts.”
The health undersecretary further assured the public that the government has safeguards in place so that even if quarantine measures are eased it will still be able to “somehow contain the transmission” of the virus, adding that the two-week modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) has given the government time to recalibrate its strategies,