The Department of Health (DOH) is sticking to its projection of 16,000
to 43,000 new Covid-19 cases per day by end-September.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Sunday the
projection is being used as a “safe lag” for the government in its
Covid-19 response, and various factors will come into play for the
higher projection range. Among these are: vaccination coverage;
shortening of the detection period; and health standard compliance.

However, President Rodrigo Duterte is yet to approve “new quarantine
responses”, including possible granular lockdowns in Metro Manila,
Malacañang said on Sunday.

“New quarantine responses still for approval of PPRD. FYI,”
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

The IATF-EID recommends quarantine responses but Duterte makes the final say.

Under granular or localized lockdowns, only health workers could leave
their homes. Authorized persons outside residence (APORs) will also be
prohibited from leaving their homes.

Some businesses will be able to operate but will be scaled down
depending on the specified level.

Currently, Metro Manila and other areas in the country is under
modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the second strictest
community quarantine status, extended until Sept. 7 to address the
increasing bed occupancy and enable the local government units to ramp
up their vaccination rollout.