Modified ECQ areas expand to 8; ECQ for Cebu City, Mandaue City

A total of eight transitioning highrisk areas have been placed under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) while two are under the ECQ until the end of the month.

Based on Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease Resolution No. 37 released Saturday morning, the following high-risk areas will be under ECQ until May 31:

1. Cebu City

2. Mandaue City

The following transitioning eight high-risk areas will be under the MECQ until the end of the month:

1. The National Capital Region

2. Bataan

3. Bulacan

4. Nueva Ecija

5. Pampanga

6. Zambales

7. Angeles City

8. Laguna

Initially, only three areas were placed under MECQ. These at the NCR,

Cebu City, and Laguna. However, in the new IATF resolution, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales, and Angeles City were added to the list, while Cebu City was upgraded to ECQ.

The rest of the country is placed under the general community quarantine (GCQ) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Based on the resolution, the areas covered by the quarantine zones were updated after validation with the IATF sub-technical working group on Data Analytics, with updated case numbers and health systems capacity data, and in consideration of the appeals of the local government units (LGUs).

Under the MECQ, more manufacturing businesses have been allowed to operate. Malls and other nonleisure

stores are now also allowed to partially open.

Banned in malls

The new omnibus guidelines released by the IATF stated that those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women are not allowed inside malls and shopping centers, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services, or if their work is located therein.

Firearms and ammunition trading establishments may now also partially operate subject to strict regulation of the Firearms and Explosives Office.

Pastors, priests, rabbi, imams, and other religious ministers are allowed to provide home religious services to households but proper protocols must be observed such as physical distancing

and the wearing of face masks, among others.

While adhering to minimum health standards, religious gatherings are highly restricted and shall be limited to not more than five persons. Other public gatherings that are unauthorized, non-work essential or entertainment-related remain prohibited.

Prohibited from opening

The following shall remain closed under the MECQ:

1. Tourist destinations

2. Entertainment industries such as cinemas, theaters, and karaoke bars

3. Kid amusement industries such as playroom and kiddy rides

4. Libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers

5. Gyms, fitness studios, and sports facilities

6. Personal care services like

massage parlors, sauna, facial care, and waxing.

Hazard pay

Roque said over state-run PTV-4 that he will ask the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) about the guidelines for hazard pay for those who will be working in areas under the MECQ.

“Lilinawin ko po 'yan sa DOLE kasi ngayon lang naman po tayo nagkaroon ng modified ECQ (I will clear this up with DOLE because this is the first time we had a modified ECQ),” he said.

Contact sports

Roque likewise announced that swimming is now allowed as a noncontact sport in areas under the GCQ. Malacañang previously announced that limited action sports like golf and tennis are now allowed in MECQ and GCQ areas.