Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the province of Laguna will remain under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until Friday, August 20.

Roque said on Saturday, August 14, that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) made the decision upon the recommendation of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and after consulting with the local government of Laguna.

"This latest ECQ re-classification was made to maximize its effects, slow down the surge of COVID-19 (2019 Coronavirus Disease) cases, further stop the spread of variants and improve health system capacity to protect more lives in the aforesaid area," Roque explained in a statement.

"This is in pursuant with Executive Order 112 giving authority to the IATF to impose, lift, or extend a community quarantine in provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities," the Palace official added.