COVID-19 response chief implementer Carlito Galvez announced this Friday that the government is considering implementing localized lockdowns by “zones” by the end of May.
(DOH: Another lockdown needed if COVID-19 cases spike up)
Once community quarantine arrangements end this month, the government is looking to utilize a “zoning concept” which divides areas into either “affected” or “economic” zones.
The classification of zoning will depend on data on doubling time and incident rate of COVID-19 cases.
In affected areas, the zone to be “cordoned” or locked down will be called the “index” or “critical area.” The surrounding areas with fewer cases will be called the “containment area.” Areas that are unaffected but contiguous to those will be called the ‘”buffer zone.”
According to Galvez, the economic area will be outside the buffer zone, where 50 to 100% of economic activity will be allowed to resume.
“Ang nakikita po natin na isang magandang option po ay magkaroon po tayo ng tinatawag na granular approach, o ‘yung tinatawag nating selective approach, o ‘yung surgical approach, kasi dito natin makikita talaga na we have to have a direct impact immediately at saka ‘yung rapid response natin ay nakatutuok talaga du’n sa mga affected,” he said at the Laging Handa briefing.
Galvez stated that the proposal has already been presented to President Rodrigo Duterte.
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