NCR may transition to GCQ by June
Published May 26, 2020 12:00 am
By Chito A. ChavezÂ
The National Capital Region (NCR or Metro Manila) will most likely transition to the more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) after May 31, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said on Tuesday.
A makeshift barricade blocks a street from outsiders to protect a neighbourhood from the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Manila, March 23, 2020. (REUTERS/Eloisa /FILE PHOTO/MANILA BULLETIN)
In a news briefing, Año said the relaxed quarantine protocols in Metro Manila will allow the economy to reinvigorate as the government will remain focused on containing the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with the strict implementation of existing quarantine rules.
Under GCQ, more offices and industries will be allowed to operate, either in full capacity or 50 percent capacity.
Likewise, Año said LGUs may still impose localized lockdowns in high-risk areas of their respective localities.
He added that areas under selective lockdown due to high cases of COVID-19 will be referred to as critical zones while the adjacent barangays will be called contained zones.
He added that the other surrounding areas with no confirmed COVID-19 cases will be identified as buffer zones.
In the localized lockdown areas, Año said that more law enforcers will be on stand-by to prevent anyone from entering and leaving these places.
He explained that there will be adjustments under GCQ as modified checkpoints will be in place where random checking of vehicles will be implemented to allow for a smoother flow of traffic.
Año said there will also be spot checkpoints to ensure that health standards are being followed.
He warned that the full force of the law will be applied against individuals who will defy health standards even under the GCQ, saying this is the new normal until a COVID-19 vaccine is discovered.
Año said the Metro Manila Council was scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon to discuss their recommendation on whether to extend the modified enhanced community quarantine in the NCR or to ease its quarantine measures.
The DILG chief said President Duterte will announce his final decision by Thursday or Friday.
GCQ protocols
Based on the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of the Community Quarantines in the Philippines, approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on May 22, 2020, some of the protocols are:
1. Work in all government offices may be at full operational capacity or under such alternative work arrangements as agencies may deem proper in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Provided that for offices requiring employees to report physically, commissioned shuttle services as well as point-to-point transport services may be provided.
2. All permitted establishments and activities under Section 2(4) shall be allowed to operate or be undertaken at full operational capacity: In addition, the following sectors or industries shall be allowed to operate at an operational capacity provided herein:
a. Category I Industries - Power, energy, water, and other utilities, agriculture, fishery, and forestry industries, food manufacturing and food supply chain businesses, including food retail establishments such as supermarkets, grocery stores, and food preparation establishments insofar as take-out and delivery services, food delivery services, health-related establishments, the logistics sector, information technology and telecommunication companies, the media, at full operational capacity;
b. Category II Industries - Mining and other manufacturing, and electronic commerce companies, as well as other delivery, repair and maintenance, and housing and office services, at anywhere between 50 percent up to full operational capacity, and without prejudice to work-from-home and other alternative work arrangements; and
c. Category III Industries - Financial services, legal and accounting, and auditing services, professional, scientific, technical, and other non-leisure services, and other non-leisure wholesale and retail establishments, at 50 percent operational capacity, and without prejudice to work-from-home and other alternative work arrangements.
Specific industries under each category are reflected in a separate document issued by the DTI.
3. Limited operations in malls and shopping centers shall be allowed, except for leisure establishments and services which shall continue to be closed. Provided, that establishments and services allowed to operate in malls and shopping centers may only operate at a capacity consistent with Section 2( 4) of these Omnibus Guidelines. Provided, further, those below twenty-one (21) years old, and those sixty ( 60) years old and above and those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women, including any person who resides with the aforementioned, may not enter malls and shopping centers except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in establishments located therein until otherwise modified through subsequent issuances of the IATF. Provided, finally, that operations of malls and shopping centers are subject to the guidelines of the DTI.
4. All public and private construction projects shall be allowed, but with strict compliance to the construction safety guidelines issued by the DPWH for the implementation of infrastructure projects during the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. 10. No hotels or similar establishments shall be allowed to operate, except those accommodating the following:
a. For guests who have existing booking accommodations for foreigners as of 17 March 2020 for Luzon and 0 l May 2020 for other areas;
b. Guests who have existing long-term bookings;
c. Distressed OFWs and stranded Filipinos or foreign nationals;
d. Repatriated OFWs in compliance with approved quarantine protocols;
e. Non-OFWs who may be required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine; and
f. Healthcare workers and other employees from exempted establishments under these Omnibus Guidelines and applicable Memoranda from the Executive Secretary. Provided that in all of the foregoing, hotel operations shall be limited to the provision of basic accommodation services to guests through an in-house skeleton workforce Ancillary establishments within the premises, such as restaurants, cafes, bars, gyms, spas, and the like, shall not be allowed to operate or to provide room service; Provided further, that accommodation establishments may prepare: (a) packed meals for distribution to guests who opt for the same; and (b) food orders for take-out and delivery only.
6. Face-to-face or in-person classes shall be suspended. See separate story on this issue for more details.
7. Mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non essential work gatherings shall be prohibited. Gatherings that are for the provision of critical government services and authorized humanitarian activities while adhering to the prescribed minimum health standards shall be allowed. Religious gatherings shall be limited to not more than 10 persons, until otherwise modified through subsequent issuances of the IATF.
8. The road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation shall operate at a reduced operational and vehicle capacity in accordance with guidelines issued by the DOTr. Provided, that in all public transports, a strict one (1) meter distance between passengers shall be observed and appropriate engineering controls shall be in place.
A makeshift barricade blocks a street from outsiders to protect a neighbourhood from the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Manila, March 23, 2020. (REUTERS/Eloisa /FILE PHOTO/MANILA BULLETIN)
In a news briefing, Año said the relaxed quarantine protocols in Metro Manila will allow the economy to reinvigorate as the government will remain focused on containing the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with the strict implementation of existing quarantine rules.
Under GCQ, more offices and industries will be allowed to operate, either in full capacity or 50 percent capacity.
Likewise, Año said LGUs may still impose localized lockdowns in high-risk areas of their respective localities.
He added that areas under selective lockdown due to high cases of COVID-19 will be referred to as critical zones while the adjacent barangays will be called contained zones.
He added that the other surrounding areas with no confirmed COVID-19 cases will be identified as buffer zones.
In the localized lockdown areas, Año said that more law enforcers will be on stand-by to prevent anyone from entering and leaving these places.
He explained that there will be adjustments under GCQ as modified checkpoints will be in place where random checking of vehicles will be implemented to allow for a smoother flow of traffic.
Año said there will also be spot checkpoints to ensure that health standards are being followed.
He warned that the full force of the law will be applied against individuals who will defy health standards even under the GCQ, saying this is the new normal until a COVID-19 vaccine is discovered.
Año said the Metro Manila Council was scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon to discuss their recommendation on whether to extend the modified enhanced community quarantine in the NCR or to ease its quarantine measures.
The DILG chief said President Duterte will announce his final decision by Thursday or Friday.
GCQ protocols
Based on the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of the Community Quarantines in the Philippines, approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on May 22, 2020, some of the protocols are:
1. Work in all government offices may be at full operational capacity or under such alternative work arrangements as agencies may deem proper in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Provided that for offices requiring employees to report physically, commissioned shuttle services as well as point-to-point transport services may be provided.
2. All permitted establishments and activities under Section 2(4) shall be allowed to operate or be undertaken at full operational capacity: In addition, the following sectors or industries shall be allowed to operate at an operational capacity provided herein:
a. Category I Industries - Power, energy, water, and other utilities, agriculture, fishery, and forestry industries, food manufacturing and food supply chain businesses, including food retail establishments such as supermarkets, grocery stores, and food preparation establishments insofar as take-out and delivery services, food delivery services, health-related establishments, the logistics sector, information technology and telecommunication companies, the media, at full operational capacity;
b. Category II Industries - Mining and other manufacturing, and electronic commerce companies, as well as other delivery, repair and maintenance, and housing and office services, at anywhere between 50 percent up to full operational capacity, and without prejudice to work-from-home and other alternative work arrangements; and
c. Category III Industries - Financial services, legal and accounting, and auditing services, professional, scientific, technical, and other non-leisure services, and other non-leisure wholesale and retail establishments, at 50 percent operational capacity, and without prejudice to work-from-home and other alternative work arrangements.
Specific industries under each category are reflected in a separate document issued by the DTI.
3. Limited operations in malls and shopping centers shall be allowed, except for leisure establishments and services which shall continue to be closed. Provided, that establishments and services allowed to operate in malls and shopping centers may only operate at a capacity consistent with Section 2( 4) of these Omnibus Guidelines. Provided, further, those below twenty-one (21) years old, and those sixty ( 60) years old and above and those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women, including any person who resides with the aforementioned, may not enter malls and shopping centers except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in establishments located therein until otherwise modified through subsequent issuances of the IATF. Provided, finally, that operations of malls and shopping centers are subject to the guidelines of the DTI.
4. All public and private construction projects shall be allowed, but with strict compliance to the construction safety guidelines issued by the DPWH for the implementation of infrastructure projects during the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. 10. No hotels or similar establishments shall be allowed to operate, except those accommodating the following:
a. For guests who have existing booking accommodations for foreigners as of 17 March 2020 for Luzon and 0 l May 2020 for other areas;
b. Guests who have existing long-term bookings;
c. Distressed OFWs and stranded Filipinos or foreign nationals;
d. Repatriated OFWs in compliance with approved quarantine protocols;
e. Non-OFWs who may be required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine; and
f. Healthcare workers and other employees from exempted establishments under these Omnibus Guidelines and applicable Memoranda from the Executive Secretary. Provided that in all of the foregoing, hotel operations shall be limited to the provision of basic accommodation services to guests through an in-house skeleton workforce Ancillary establishments within the premises, such as restaurants, cafes, bars, gyms, spas, and the like, shall not be allowed to operate or to provide room service; Provided further, that accommodation establishments may prepare: (a) packed meals for distribution to guests who opt for the same; and (b) food orders for take-out and delivery only.
6. Face-to-face or in-person classes shall be suspended. See separate story on this issue for more details.
7. Mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non essential work gatherings shall be prohibited. Gatherings that are for the provision of critical government services and authorized humanitarian activities while adhering to the prescribed minimum health standards shall be allowed. Religious gatherings shall be limited to not more than 10 persons, until otherwise modified through subsequent issuances of the IATF.
8. The road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation shall operate at a reduced operational and vehicle capacity in accordance with guidelines issued by the DOTr. Provided, that in all public transports, a strict one (1) meter distance between passengers shall be observed and appropriate engineering controls shall be in place.