Malacañang on Sunday has urged the public to continue following health and safety protocols when government relaxes lockdowns across the country starting Monday.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the threat of the coronavirus remained even as more sectors and industries are set to resume operations on Monday.

“The administration… has put in place interventions and measures following minimum public health standards to ensure the safety of Filipinos. We have issued guidelines that apply to workplaces, employers, and workers,” Roque said.

“As more sectors and industries begin to operate, let us continue cooperating with authorities in enforcing quarantine protocols,” Roque said.

Roque told the public to take care of each other by wearing face masks and shields, maintaining physical distancing, staying at home when needed, and avoiding crowded places.

“It may be difficult for some, especially those who will physically report, but we live in extraordinary times and situation,” he said.

On Monday, Metro Manila – considered as the country’s epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis – and other high-risk areas will downgrade to general community quarantine (GCQ) while the rest of the countries shift to modified GCQ.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country climbed to 17,224 on Saturday after the Department of Health registered 590 new confirmed cases./Stacy Ang