Metro under GCQ in June

METRO Manila will likely be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) next month, which means that restrictions would be further relaxed, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said.

The metropolis is placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until May 31.

“I quote both [National Action Plan Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez and

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año] that chances are we will in fact be transitioning to GCQ in Metro Manila,” Roque said in a television interview.

Metro Manila mayors have also called for the transition of the metropolis to GCQ in June.

Roque said the Inter- Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) met on Wednesday, May 27, to discuss the implementation of the nationwide community quarantine.

He added the task force would decide whether to extend or lift the ECQ, MECQ and GCQ in certain areas.

“Today, IATF is meeting and we expect a decision to be made by the body. It is very difficult for me to actually speculate because as spokesperson, I have to wait for the collegiate body to decide,” Roque said.

The Palace official said the government already knew “what is going to happen” should Metro Manila be placed under GCQ.

The ECQ in Cebu and Mandaue cities; MECQ in Metro Manila, Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Zambales; and GCQ in the rest of the country would lapse on May 31.

Meanwhile, Roque urged both the private and public sectors to finalize their work scheme because there would be an influx of workers once Metro Manila shifts to GCQ.

“So we are appealing to both the private and the public sectors to ensure this 50-50 workforce,” Roque said.

“It doesn’t mean that work stops because I think by now we’re used to working at home. You’re broadcasting from home. I’m interviewing from home. It can be done,” he added.

Roque said all modes of transportation would most likely be operational but can only transport 50 percent of its capacity at a time.

“All transportation will be operational but operating on 50 percent capacity

PHOTO BY RUY L. MARTINEZ SHOPPING FRENZY The ‘ukay-ukay’ is back and shoppers looking for a bargain crowd several stalls along Luzon Avenue in Quezon City on May 27, 2020, once again forgetting to observe physical distancing.