The mayors of Metro Manila are prepared for their respective localities to stay under the general community quarantine (GCQ) or transition to the less restrictive modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in February, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

In a press conference on Tuesday, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said Metro Manila mayors are ready for the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), on whether to retain the current GCQ status or shift to MGCQ.

Garcia stressed that it is important for Metro Manila local government units to be also prepared for the roll out of vaccines for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and prevent the further spread of the virus in the metropolis, especially the new variant from UK that was recently detected in Quezon City.

“Sabi nga ng mga mayors natin, mahal natin ang ekonomiya that’s why we’re doing it gradual, unti-unti ang opening.  Andito na ‘yong vaccines natin, malapit na, ayaw naman nating magkaroon ng surge tapos nag-aasikaso tayo ng vaccine, napakahirap nyan (As said by the mayors, we should love the economy, that’s why we are doing a gradual reopening. The vaccines are already here, and we don’t want to see a surge of Covid-19 cases. That is very challenging),” Garcia said.

He added the IATF is crafting a decision on Metro Manila’s quarantine status, but said he has no authority to divulge details.