Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 11) — An official from the country's pandemic response task force has said the community quarantine restrictions over Metro Manila and four nearby provinces may be eased by mid-June.

Inter-Agency Task Force spokesperson Harry Roque said that from the current general community quarantine with restrictions, the classification could de-escalate to the regular GCQ based on improving COVID-19 numbers.

"It might not be to MGCQ, but it could be to ordinary GCQ because ang GCQ po natin ngayon ay mayroon pang mga restrictions [the GCQ now has restrictions]," he said in a briefing on Thursday.

Roque, who is also presidential spokesperson, pointed out that the hospital care utilization rate in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna remains low, stressing that this is an important factor in determining quarantine classifications.

OCTA Research fellow Guido David earlier said the COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila are on a downward trend.

The IATF is expected to issue a recommendation before June 15 to President Rodrigo Duterte, who will have the final say.

Source: CNN Philippines (https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/6/11/June-community-quarantine-NCR-Plus.html?fbclid=IwAR0Pq2hD63dH-XSuE2K_4_m0BOXPMbK73fr1KeCWGGndDPmPBdsL2g5f088)