President Rodrigo Duterte has approved a modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) over three “high-risk” areas — Metro Manila, Laguna and Cebu City until May 31, but relaxed restrictions elsewhere.
The modified ECQ scheme will allow some manufacturing and processing plants previously restricted to operate at 50 percent manpower on May 16. There will still be no public transport and face-to-face classes.
Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque made the announcement in a briefing Tuesday, hours after a pre-recorded broadcast by the president aired over state television at 8 a.m. where he said the Philippines could not afford a second or third wave of coronavirus infections.
Eight “moderate-risk” areas mostly under ECQ previously were placed under the less restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ) starting May 16 up to May 31: Cagayan Valley or Region 2, Central Luzon or Region 3, Calabarzon or Region 4-A except Laguna, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Visayas or Region 7 except Cebu City, Zamboanga Peninsula or Region 9, Davao Region or Region 11, and Caraga or Region 13.
Eight more areas considered “low risk” no longer fall under GCQ or ECQ: Ilocos or Region 1, Mimaropa or Region 4-B, Bicol or Region 5, Western Visayas or Region 6, Eastern Visayas or Region 8, Northern Mindanao or Region 10, Soccsksargen or Region 12, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Duterte initially placed Metro Manila on community quarantine in mid-March, then expanded coverage to the entire Luzon island and later to other high-risk areas in the Visayas and Mindanao. The ECQ was initially meant to last until April 12, then extended twice: April 30 then May 15.
For Metro Manila and Laguna, this was the third extension of the ECQ, which bars public transport and severely restricts business activities and mass gatherings, including religious services.
Mayors will be allowed to declare lockdowns in specific barangays or villages with at least 20 cases of infection. “These areas will still be under ECQ as we know it,” Roque said.
Under GCQ, limited public transportation is allowed and more businesses and government offices are cleared to operate at 75 percent manpower, but subject to strict social distancing measures. Flexible learning in schools are allowed.
Residents of GCQ areas will no longer be given cash aid, the Palace spokesman said.
Roque said the president approved the resolution of an interagency task force and took into consideration the recommendations of Metro Manila mayors.
The quarantine measures affected the economy, which must generate more resources to finance the pandemic response, Roque said.
Duterte urged the public to comply with quarantine measures or face death due to Covid-19.
“Remember, the easing up of the restrictions, hindi `yan sabihin na wala na ang Covid,” he said in his taped broadcast.
“Do not go out of your house without a mask. That is a must comply. Tatapikin ka ng pulis, di ka naman huhulihin,” he added.
Social distancing, he said, would be the “new life, until such time na meron nang vaccine.” (PressONE.ph)
