Malacañang introduced on Tuesday the new quarantine measure, aiming to save economies of urban hubs with high numbers of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.   The high-risk areas of Metro Manila, Laguna, and Cebu City will now be placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) starting May 16-31, 2020. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque introduced the new term during the press briefing on May 12.  

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  He also introduced the term Modified General Community Quarantine, which will be imposed in low-risk provinces and cities. Regardless of the now allowed movements in some areas, the government continues to urge citizens to stay at home as much as possible and to strictly follow health guidelines such as mask-wearing, physical distancing, and frequent handwashing.   To know more, watch the May 13, 2020 press briefing below:  

Movements

Movements are now allowed, depending on what quarantine classification your area belongs to. In areas under Modified ECQ:

• Strict stay-at-home measures continue, however, people will be allowed to leave their homes ONLY to obtain essential goods and services;
• Work in industries is allowed to resume;
• Exercising outdoors, like jogging and biking, are now allowed if people wear masks and stay two meters apart.

People under GCQ will be allowed to move around for work and essential services in barangays. Lastly, in areas under Modified GCQ, the movement goes back to normal BUT mask-wearing, physical distancing, and other health protocols will be enforced.  

Business operations

Some businesses can now ease back to their operations under Modified ECQ, including:

• Essential industries like health care, pharmacies, veterinary clinics, food manufacturing, and supply chains, and groceries can operate at full capacity;
• Some manufacturing and processing plants, which can operate at only 50% capacity;
• More commercial establishments can also operate at 50% capacity.

GCQ: More industries and establishments can operate at full capacity. Modified GCQ: Resume operations both private and public sector at full capacity. REMINDER: Mask-wearing, physical distancing, and other health protocols should be strictly observed.  

Transporation

Modified ECQ

• Private shuttles will be allowed but only for essential work and services;
• No public transportation like trains, buses, jeeps, taxis, or transport network vehicle services (like Grab);
• Private cars are allowed, as long as only two people sit per row;
• Motorcycles, bicycles, and e-scooters allowed with only one rider.

GCQ & Modified GCQ

• Public transportation now allowed but with the enforcement of health protocols.
• Private vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, allowed.

 

Flights

Modified ECQ

• No domestic flights, no inter-island travel;
• Limited international flights;
• Filipinos from abroad will be allowed to fly home.

GCQ: Inter-island travel is allowed between two GCQ areas, with safety protocols enforced. Modified GCQ: All flights resume but with health protocols enforced.  

Government Offices

Modified ECQ: Skeletal workforce in office premises while the rest work from home. GCQ: Alternative work arrangements such as a 4-day workweek. Modified GCQ: Operations resume but with health protocols.  

Classes

Modified ECQ: Physical classes can’t resume yet. GCQ: School premises can open to allow the skeletal workforce to process requirements from students and prepare for next semester or graduation. Modified GCQ: Normal physical classes may resume with health protocols enforced.  

Mass gatherings

Modified ECQ: Only gatherings of up to 5 people are allowed, with health protocols observed. GCQ: Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed, with health protocols observed. Modified GCQ: No information yet.   Furthermore, the government introduced the zoning scheme that will be implemented by local government chiefs in Metro Manila, Laguna, and Cebu City. In this scheme, barangays with COVID-19 cases will still be under the original ECQ. Those with 20 or more cases are considered “critical zones” and will be under ECQ or hard lockdown. Meanwhile, those with fewer cases are considered “containment zones” and will be under modified ECQ. Barangays or clusters of barangays adjacent to any area with COVID-19 cases are “buffer zones” where GCQ will be enforced. Barangays outside a buffer zone will be on modified GCQ.  

Click here to see LIST: Areas under Modified ECQ, GCQ

 

 

Here’s the full list of Roque’s May 13 presentation—presented by Rappler:

  —(Source: Rappler)