Metro Manila, Davao City, and 7 other areas are under general community quarantine (GCQ) until January 31, 2021, President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Monday, December 28.

In a televised address, Duterte approved the recommendation to place the following areas under GCQ, subject to the appeal of local executives:

• Metro Manila
• Isabela
• Batangas
• Iloilo
• Tacloban City
• Lanao del Sur
• Iligan City
• Davao City
• Davao del Norte

On December 15, the Inter-Agency Task Force imposed tighter restrictions in Isabela, except Santiago City, because of an uptick in coronavirus cases.

Under the new classifications the President announced on Monday, the entirety of Isabela, including Santiago City, is now under GCQ.

The rest of the country remains under modified GCQ, the loosest quarantine classification.

On the issue of the new COVID-19 strain, the President reminded Filipinos to just stay at home.

“Dito sa COVID strain, the rule is kung maaring ‘wag ka lumabas ng bahay, ‘wag kang lumabas. (For the new COVID-19 strain, the rule is if it’s possible for you not to go out, don’t go out),” the President said.

The new and reportedly more infectious COVID-19 strain originated from the United Kingdom.

The Philippines had recently extended the travel ban from UK – which was supposed to end on December 31 – for another two weeks. – Rappler.com