BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Capitol adviser and former solon Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the slowing down or speeding up of the COVID19 virus infection is key to the extension or modification of the General Community Quarantine still in effect over the province.
“The purpose of a quarantine is to control the rate of transmission of the virus,” Benitez said, responding to a question of DNX during an online briefing and presser with local reporters.
And it will be done two weeks at a time.
Benitez, consultant on economic affairs to the provincial government, said the basis for any shift in policy should be based on the statistics on the number of cases – confirmed, suspected or probable – that are being compiled by the Incident Management Team of the province.
IMT head Jonathan Lobaton had earlier told DNX that while Benitez is economic consultant, his views and suggestions on the COVID crisis are being welcomed by Capitol that is now “open to anyone who wants to help.”
Governor Eugenio Lacson had modified the Enhanced Community Quarantine effective 20 April after the two-week ECQ that started 30 March.
Some netizens had questioned Lacson’s decision, especially after he allowed the return of public transportation, particularly tricycles and trisikads.
