Expect quarantine pass revival, no public transportation under this lockdown – Roque 

The quarantine pass system will be strictly implemented while business operations will be reduced and public transportation will be stopped if the National Capital Region (NCR or Metro Manila) reverts to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) next month, Malacañang cautioned Friday. 

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said he hopes the NCR could avoid these tougher lockdown restrictions in a bid to sustain economic activities as well as restore people's livelihood.

Metro Manila, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, remains under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) status until the end of the month unless modified by President Duterte. 

“Well, the quarantine pass may return and we will have a reduction in transportation. In fact under MECQ, there will be no public transportation so people will stay at home. Only a few industries will also be allowed to operate,” Roque said over GMA 7's Unang Hirit program Friday. 

“So I am hopeful that as much as possible, even the cases are increasing, I hope we won't return to MECQ because people really need their livelihood. But if the data suggests it is needed, that will be decided upon,” he said. 

At present, Roque said the coronavirus cases have doubled in Metro Manila every seven to eight days, a rate still within the GCQ requirement. Metro Manila's capacity to provide critical care has improved to “moderate level” from the previous danger zone, he added. 

“If the case doubling rate reaches seven days or more, the area will stay under GCQ. But if the rate doubles within a week, it's possible to shift to MECQ,” he said. 

Roque had earlier raised the possibility of Metro Manila reverting to MECQ if the country will meet the projection of the University of the Philippines (UP) of 85,000 cases by the end of the month. 

As of Friday, the Philippines has recorded 76,444 COVID-19 cases. 

Critical care capacity 

“Our critical care capacity has slightly improved. We reached the dangerous level but it went back to 50 at moderate level,” he said. Roque, however, said it was premature to state that Metro Manila will indeed move back to MECQ. 

He said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has yet to hold a meeting where the latest relevant health data will be thoroughly discussed. 

The task force is expected to submit its recommendations on the country's quarantine status to President Duterte who will then make the final decision. The Palace previously warned that the Metro Manila might shift to the more stringent MECQ if the coronavirus data would not improve. 

It has repeatedly appealed to the public to follow health measures such as wearing of masks and observing safe distancing to limit the spread of the disease. Under the MECQ guidelines, the government requires strict home quarantine in all households. 

The movement of residents shall still be limited to accessing essential goods and services, and for work in permitted offices and activities. Other MECQ restrictions include suspension of public transportation, prohibition on certain mass gatherings, suspension on face-to-face classes, and limited operations of shopping malls and other businesses. 

The country is largely under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), the least stringent lockdown level imposed by the government, until the end of the month. 

Cebu City has been downgraded to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine amid improving health data. 

Apart from Metro Manila, areas under GCQ are Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Lapu Lapu City, Mandaue City, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga City, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Basilan, Talisay City, and municipalities of Minglanilla and Consolacion in Cebu province. 

Police visibility

 Meanwhile, Malacañang supports increased police visibility to enforce the health measures to limit the spread of the new coronavirus disease. Roque said the public should not be afraid of the police presence, citing the need to implement the rules intended for public health and safety such as wearing of masks and keeping a safe distance from others. 

The Joint Task Force Shield for the Coronavirus Response recently authorized the deployment of one policeman for every barangay to monitor the implementation of health measures in the community. 

According to Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, head of the task force, these cops will serve as quarantine rules supervisor and lead barangay officials in enforcing the heath protocols.