80% of PH likely under MGCQ by July 16 – Lorenzana
About 80 percent of the country will more likely be under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) by July 16, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Friday.
Lorenzana, chairman of the National Action Plan on coronavirus disease (NAP COVID-19), said there will be huge changes in the country’s set up by July 16 when the government commences the second phase of its action plan.
“We will ease the quarantine and we are going to reopen the economy. There will be many
changes. More people will be allowed to go out. Churches will be allowed to open as well. The DOTr will also field more modes of transportation. So there will be huge changes,” Lorenzana told Unang Hirit in an interview.
Decisions depend on analytics
Lorenzana said the changes will still depend on the analytics provided by the Department of Health (DOH) but the second phase will definitely be implemented by July 16.
When asked about how the first phase of the government’s action plan can be called a success despite the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country, Lorenzana said: “We were able to accomplish our objective.”
Easing restrictions
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, in a separate statement over state-run PTV-4, said religious gatherings of up to 10 percent of the venue’s capacity or up to 10 persons, whichever is higher, will be allowed under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
These include religious gatherings but only up to 10 percent of the seating capacity, or up to 10 persons, whichever is higher, after July 10.
“But our quarantine protocols, health protocols will remain like the wearing of face masks, frequent handwashing, and social distancing,” he said.
Travel agencies
The IATF also approved the recommendation of the Departments of Tourism (DOT) and Trade and Industry (DTI) to allow travel agencies to resume operations in areas under GCQ.
However, their operations shall be limited at skeleton workforce and primarily to do administrative works such as processing of refunds and payment to suppliers.
Sports
The IATF has approved the joint administrative order of the Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusements Board, and Department of Health that provides guidelines on the conduct of “health-enhancing physical activities and sports” during the pandemic.
“The IATF has allowed basketball and football practices and conditioning following the request of the Philippine Basketball Association and football associations,” Roque said.
In a text message, Roque clarified that the joint administrative order only covers professional players because “they requested it.”
“Kanto games, not yet. Pros lang (Street games are not yet allowed. Professional players only),” he said.
“But must be applied to all those equally situated. Per [Chief Implementer Carlito] Galvez, pwede practice basta (practice is allowed as long as) players tested negative. Volleyball is also okay,” he added.
Barbershops, salons
The IATF has also allowed barbershops and salons to provide more than just basic haircut services after it deleted the limitation mentioned in a previous resolution.
The DTI will issue the guidelines that will govern the gradual resumption of other services normally provided in these establishments as long as they are able to follow minimum health standards.
According to Roque, he will clarify with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez if the other services include massage and facial services.
Meanwhile, Lorenzana said the World Health Organization had earlier predicted that without a lockdown, the country will reach 75,000 cases, and about six to 10,0000 deaths in Metro Manila alone in three months.
The defense chief also added that while the government is trying to curb the spread of the virus, they were also able to improve health capacities by adding more PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) machines and quarantine facilities.
Lorenza expressed hope that with more than three months of quarantine, the public has already “ingrained” in themselves the strict health protocols.