FILE PHOTO

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) chief on Saturday, announced that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved implementation of granular lockdown in Metro Manila starting September 8 (Wednesday).

“(The) lockdown will be limited to few and small specific areas with high transmissions; but other areas will allow some more sector openings and capacity so that more jobs can be brought back,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said

No further details were provided by Lopez, saying that the IATF will announce the new classification.

The modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) will end on 7 September 2021.

For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the IATF is still awaiting the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“I will let Spokesman Harry, as our spokesman, to properly disclose and explain the guidelines which are being finalized and will be issued asap before September 7,” he said.

The IATF earlier said it is considering widening the scope of areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) after projections were made that daily cases could reach 25,000 to 30,000.