Cavite, Laguna now under MGCQ

By Raadee Sausa September 5, 2020 Announcement by president duterte with iatf on quarantine status in philippine areas. Cavite and L...

By Raadee Sausa
September 5, 2020

Announcement by president duterte with iatf on quarantine status in philippine areas.

Cavite and Laguna, which host special economic zones, are eased into the most lenient modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

But, more businesses are allowed to reopen beginning September 1 even as Metro Manila remains under general community quarantine (GCQ) for one more month.





The new quarantine classifications were approved by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 31 during his meeting at Malacañang with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Also under GCQ are the provinces of Bulacan and Batangas and the cities of Tacloban and Bacolod.





The rest of the country will be under MGCQ, except Iligan City, which was placed under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

Iligan officials had asked the regional coronavirus task force to allow them to return to the strictest ECQ because of rising COVID-19 infections, with 21 of the 44 barangays in the city recording third-degree local transmissions.

But officials have said widespread lockdowns are no longer sustainable as they harm the economy and disrupt livelihoods.

Starting September 1, establishments offering personal grooming services, as well as review and tutorial centers, gyms and internet cafés are allowed to operate in GCQ areas, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

As more businesses are allowed to open, greater police presence is expected in establishments where strict health protocols will remain in force, according to the Philippine National Police.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the IATF was expected to discuss the updated quarantine classifications last night.

“The President will make the announcement but for now, there is no fixed recommendation yet from the IATF,” Roque said.

Under GCQ, public transportation is allowed and most industries can operate partially. Only up to 10 persons are allowed in every gathering to ensure that physical distancing is observed.

Moreover, Roque said relaxing Metro Manila’s quarantine status to the most lenient MGCQ is also being discussed as the National Capital Region accounts for more than a third of the country’s economic output.

“These are being discussed, we are looking at the critical care capacity, we are looking at the case doubling rate, we will know later on, the President will conduct an inspection,” he said.

Roque previously said the capital region’s case doubling rate is nine days while the requirement for an area to be placed under MGCQ is 28 days.

Under MGCQ, more sectors like tourism can resume operations and more modes of mass transportation are permitted. Restrictions on public gatherings are also relaxed.

Roque also said that mayors have proposed shorter curfew hours – from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. – from the current 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Only Navotas wanted to retain the current curfew hours, he said.

“It won’t be immediate because they [local governments] still have to amend their ordinances. Other local governments have given the mayor the authority to change the curfew hours through executive order,” he added.