By Genalyn Kabiling The government cannot fight the new coronavirus disease alone and needs the public to cooperate with the quarantine protocols to contain the spread of the invisible enemy, Malacañang said Sunday. (Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN) As the country's lockdown measures are further relaxed to jumpstart the economy this month, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque has rallied the nation not to waste the sacrifices made over the past few weeks and continue to observe health precautions such as mask-wearing and safe distancing in public. Starting June 1, the country will shift to the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) except for Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Pangasinan, Zamboanga City and Davao City which will be under the GCQ. The less stringent quarantine measures, that include the reopening of more industries including gradual operations of barbershops and salons as well as limited public transportation, will take effect until June 15. The government's decision to ease the lockdown measures came despite the country's cases soared past the 16,000 level. "The coronavirus disease 2019, as we have said, in numerous occasions, is an invisible enemy and the world, including the Philippines, has witnessed its adverse impacts across all sectors, as there is still no miracle cure or vaccine for this dreadful virus," Roque said. "The government cannot fight COVID-19 alone. We need the concerted effort of everyone. The sacrifices of our people in the past seventy or so days are laudable and we must not put these to naught. It maybe difficult for some, especially those who will physically report, but we live in extraordinary times and situation," he added. Under the "whole-of-government approach, Roque said the government has put in place interventions and measures following minimum public health standards to ensure the safety of Filipinos. Guidelines governing workplaces, employers, and workers have also been issued. But the Palace official reminded the public about the responsibility to look after the health of each other. "As more sectors and industries begin to operate, let us continue cooperating with authorities in enforcing quarantine protocols," he said. "Let us take care of each other by wearing face masks/face shields, maintaining physical/social distancing, staying at home if/when need be and avoiding crowded places, and the like. Only then we can heal and rise as one," he added. The government recently has included more places under general community quarantine (GCQ) from June 1 to 15, revising the list originally announced by President Duterte in his public address. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has released Resolution No. 41 on the new classification of several areas in the country subject to public health standards at all times. The decision was based on epidemic risk level, economic, social and security considerations as well as appeals and commitment of local government units. Based on IATF guidelines, the movement of people will still be limited to accessing essential goods and services as well as for work in offices authorized to resume operations under GCQ. Public transportation will may operations at reduced capacity. Walking, jogging, biking and other outdoor non-contact sports are allowed subject to public health precautions. Gatherings for government sevens and humanitarian activities are allowed. Religious gatherings are limited to 10 persons. In places under MGCQ or the transition phase between GCQ and the new normal, all persons are allowed to go outside their residences. Indoor and outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise are also allowed. Mass gatherings may resume at 50 percent venue capacity while religious gatherings shall be allowed subject to the guidelines of the IATF. Work in all public and private offices may resume at full capacity. The places under GCQ are the following:

• National Capital Region
• Pangasinan
• Zamboanga City
• Davao City

Region II:

• Batanes,
• Cagayan
• Isabela
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• Santiago City

Region III:

• Aurora
• Bataan
• Bulacan
• Nueva Ecija
• Pampanga
• Tarlac
• Zambales
• Angeles City
• Olongapo City

Region IV-A:

• Cavite
• Laguna
• Batangas
• Rizal
• Quezon
• Lucena City

Region VII:

• Bohol
• Cebu
• Negros Oriental
• Siquijor
• Cebu City
• Mandaue City
• Lapu-Lapu City

Areas under MGCQ are the following: Cordillera Administrative Region:

• Abra
• Apayao
• Baguio
• Benguet
• Ifugao
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province

Region I:

• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Dagupan City

Region IV-B:

• Marinduque
• Occidental Mindoro
• Oriental Mindoro
• Romblon
• Palawan
• Puerto Princesa City

Region V:

• Albay
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Catanduanes
• Masbate
• Sorsogon
• Legazpi City
• Naga City

Region IV:

• Aklan
• Antique
• Capiz
• Guimaras
• Iloilo
• Negros Occidental
• Iloilo City
• Bacolod City

Region VIII:

• Biliran
• Eastern Samar
• Leyte
• Northern Samar
• Western Samar
• Southern Leyte
• Ormoc City
• Tacloban City

Region IX:

• Zamboanga del Norte
• Zamboanga del Sur
• Zamboanga Sibugay
• Isabela City

Region X:

• Bukidnon
• Camiguin
• Lanao del Norte
• Misamis Occidental
• Misamis Oriental
• Cagayan de Oro City

Region XI:

• Davao de Oro
• Davao del Norte
• Davao del Sur
• Davao Occidental
• Davao Oriental

Region XII:

• North Cotabato
• South Cotabato
• Sarangani
• Sultan Kudarat
• General Santos City

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao:

• Basilan
• Lanao del Sur
• Maguindanao
• Sulu
• Tawi-Tawi
• Cotabato City

Despite the easing of quarantine rules, the task force has called on all provinces and cities to observe the enforcement of minimum public health standards. Regional COVID special teams have also been directed to oversee and assist surveillance monitoring, contact tracing, and isolation for immediate action. Local chief executives may impose localized quarantine in select areas of establishments with concurrence with the regional IATF.