THE government aims for modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), the least restrictive lockdown level, in all local government units (LGUs) by the second quarter of 2021.

Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said this is the goal that the government is aiming for.

"And, hopefully, as the months progress after the second quarter, all of us can shift to this new normal,” Vergeire said during the virtual media briefing Friday, December 4, 2020.

At present, however, Vergeire said “nothing is certain.”

“We cannot be complacent at this point. We have to continue enforcing the minimum public health standards,” she added.

These include proper wearing of face masks and face shields in public places, observing physical distancing and proper hand washing.

Based on the milestones that the government is aiming for, Vergeire said all LGUs should be able to achieve their gatekeeping indicators by the end of 2020.

Gatekeeping indicators include surveillance, contact tracing, isolation and testing and healthcare capacity.

These indicators are used as basis to determine whether an LGU is capable of managing any possible increase in coronavirus cases, Vergeire said.

Vergeire was asked to comment on the statement of acting National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Director General Karl Chua that the Philippines will likely remain under community quarantine until the end of 2021.

Chua had said that the Philippines will likely see the lifting of all the community quarantines fully only by 2022. (HDT / SunStar Philippines)