Enhanced Community Quarantine Extended in Metro Manila, Other ‘High-Risk’ Provinces
President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation made by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-MEID) to extend the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and other high-risk provinces until May 15, 2020.
This was announced by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a recorded public briefing aired on April 24.
President Duterte addresses the nation on April 24/IMAGE PCOO
The extended enhanced community quarantine will also be implemented in Pangasinan, Benguet, Mindoro island, Albay and Catanduanes, which are considered as high-risk areas as well.
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However, the quarantine status of Benguet, Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Zambales is up for review and may be subject to change by April 30 according to Roque. Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Cebu, Cebu City, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao City will also be reevaluated.
Other provinces not included in the list are considered moderate to low-risk areas. They will be placed on general community quarantine (GCQ) starting on May 1.
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General Community Quarantine
According to the IATF, here are the measures to be observed in areas under GCQ:
- Workers are allowed to go out and work in phases. However, young people, senior citizens, and those with high health risk would have to stay at home.
- Local government units (LGUs) would enforce curfew at night for non-workers.
- Public transport modes would be allowed to operate at reduced capacity.
- Restricted mall opening covering non-leisure shops would be allowed given that there will be mandatory temperature check, wearing of masks, and alcohol use. Only a limited number of people, particularly those between 21 to 59 years old, would be allowed to go inside.
- Priority and essential construction projects would be allowed to resume, subject to minimum health standards, physical distancing, and provision of barracks or accommodation for workers.
The GCQ might be lifted leading to normalization by May 16 if threats no longer appear.
This is the national government’s second extension of the enhanced community quarantine. All areas under ECQ shall undergo reevaluation throughout the lockdown to see if any development occurs that may lead to relaxation starting on May 16.
Source: pcoo.gov.ph, Office of the Presidential Spokesperson
