The Quezon City government is taking an aggressive stance in implementing the Special Concern Lockdown Area (SCLA), most especially in places where residents are observed not following the minimum public health safety protocols to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

As of the latest data, 28 areas in the city are under SCLA.

“Even when we do not have an index case, as long as our enforcers see that people in certain areas do not wear their mask, do not follow the minimum health standards, we are assuming already that there is an infection even if nobody has been tested yet, we place the area under lockdown,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said in Filipino during a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

About 843 families totaling 2,613 individuals were affected by the 14-day lockdown, Belmonte said.

The move is an “innovation” in addressing the alarming increase in the number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infections in the city, Belmonte said.

Earlier, the city government imposed granular lockdowns only in areas with clustering of Covid-19 cases or evidence of community transmission.

“Now if we have an index case and this index case lives in an area where it is difficult to enforce minimum health standards such as in the depressed areas or informal settlers community, we lock down and test aggressively,” Belmonte said.

Meantime, the city government assured that all affected families are given food packs and essential kits while under lockdown and would be subjected to swab tests and the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

As of March 17, the city has recorded 37,272 total Covid-19 cases. Active cases are at 3,812, recoveries at 32,594, and 866 deaths. SOVEREIGNPH