The return to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan, where the transmission of the virus is high, forms part of the government’s recalibrated plans against COVID-19.

There is massive targeted testing, where more frontliners are subject to PCR testing, including drivers of public utility vehicles, security guards, salesladies, receptionists, among others. Hand-in-hand with our expanded testing strategy is intensified contact tracing capability.

We are likewise strengthening our isolation capacity with more isolation centers constructed and more hotel rooms being made available for the isolation of individuals who are asymptomatic and with mild symptoms. This is our Oplan Kalinga. In terms of treatment, the construction or expansion of several hospitals in Metro Manila is currently underway and is being fast-tracked to accommodate more patients while scaling up our health system capacity with more dedicated COVID-19 beds and hiring additional health workforce.

We are doing all these with the assistance of the local government units and the private sector while engaging the cooperation of the community and the general public in strictly enforcing the minimum public health standards, like wearing of masks/face shields, washing of hands, and keeping physical distance.