It’s modified ECQ for Metro Manila, Laguna, Cebu City

Metro Manila, Cebu City and Laguna – considered “high-risk” for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection – will remain under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) although in a “modified” form for another two weeks, until May 31.

President Duterte made the announcement in a recorded televised address yesterday, as the scheduled lifting on May 15 of the ECQ nears.

He said he decided to extend the ECQ in Metro Manila, Cebu City and Laguna upon recommendation of the InterAgency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases under Resolution No. 35.

A modified ECQ means businesses engaged in essential services will be allowed to partially operate, subject to strict quarantine measures.

The IATF also identified regions and provinces where lockdown restrictions would be relaxed under general community quarantine (GCQ), beginning May 16.

“It is not ECQ as we know it… not GCQ as we know it, but it is a transition,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said, explaining what a modified ECQ is.

“We are still under community quarantine. Everything

still remains in our hands. Life will not be back to normal as long as there is still no vaccine,” he said.

In his message, President Duterte said the Philippines cannot afford a second or third wave of COVID-19 infection, as he warned the public that complacency can cost lives even in areas where quarantine measures would be relaxed.

“We will (ease the restrictions) gradually so we won’t fall... because we cannot afford a second or third wave. This would happen if people, many people, catch the virus because there are rules that were not followed,” the President said.

“The easing up of the restrictions does not mean COVID is gone... COVID is very lethal. Do not gamble with COVID because once you get infected, it can go either way. You either go to the funeral home or sleep at home. If you sleep at the funeral home, you won’t wake up anymore. They will fetch you there to be cremated,” he added.

COVID-19 Response chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said there can’t be another extension of ECQ – only a gradual lifting as there “has to be a balance between health and economy.”

Citing advice from the World Health Organization (WHO), Galvez said “any plans to ease quarantine restriction should be carried out gradually and in a phased manner. Just take it easy to prevent the resurgence of infections.”

“Our revised operational framework added the prevention prior to detection phase and the adoption of the end-to-end T3 management system for COVID-19 carriers, which means test, trace and treat,” he said.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said health indicators such as case doubling time and capacity to provide critical care were taken into consideration in classifying quarantine status for regions.

Under a modified ECQ, Roque said there will still be limited movement for people doing essential services, working or buying provisions. Workers of “indispensable” firms will be given exemptions or be required to present certificates of employment before they could be allowed to move between an ECQ area and a GCQ area.

“The difference: we will resume the economy little by little… We will have operations in select manufacturing and processing plants up to a maximum of 50 percent,” he said.

The IATF is still finalizing the list of companies that may resume operations in regions under modified ECQ.

Guidelines being readied

For resumption of commercial flights, Roque said relevant agencies are set to come up with guidelines by May 16.

The IATF would also issue guidelines for services in places of worship, Roque said, adding that minimum health standards on social distancing, body temperature check as well as proper hygiene would still be strictly enforced.

The same stringent guidelines are enforced in other sectors.

Since work will also resume in these areas, Roque said the transportation sector will also reopen but on a limited capacity.

The same goes for firms engaged in trade and manufacture of essential goods and services.

In coming up with the decision, the Palace also weighed in the recommendation of the Metro Manila mayors.

Under GCQ, work in government offices and in almost all industries would be allowed but with only 75 percent of the workforce.

“The exemption will be on the industries which may need big manpower, as well as amusement (centers) which cater to the youth,” Roque said.

In all categories, Roque underscored the need to wear face masks and observe social distancing.

At a press briefing yesterday, Roque claimed the COVID-19 death toll could have been higher had the government failed to enforce a lockdown beginning March 15.

Based on the first quarter report of the National Economic and Development Authority, the country’s gross domestic product contracted 0.2 percent due to the lockdown in greater Luzon area and to other measures implemented across the country.

“In the future, if no economic interventions are applied, the consequence would be more damaging than the effect of COVID-19,” Roque said.

If restrictions are relaxed too soon before a strong system is in place, a resurgence of the disease would surely follow, according to officials.

The IATF, chaired by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, said “moderate risk” provinces shall be placed under GCQ from May 16 to May 31, without prejudice to the declaration of localized ECQ in critical areas.

These include the Cordillera Administrative Region composed of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Baguio City; Region II comprising Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Santiago City; Region III covering Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City, Olongapo City; and Region IV-A – Cavite, Quezon, Rizal, Batangas City and Lucena City.

In the Visayas, GCQ areas are in Region VII composed of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City.

In Mindanao, areas under GCQ cover Region IX, comprising Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Isabela City; Region XI – Davao City, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental; and Region XIII, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, and Butuan City.

There will be no more community quarantine in low-risk provinces and areas like in Region I: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Dagupan City; Region IV-B – Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan and Puerto Princesa City; Region V – Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Legazpi City and Naga City.

Low-risk areas in the Visayas are Region VI –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 and Tacloban City.

In Mindanao, low-risk areas are Region X – Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City; and Region XII – North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and General Santos City.

In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM, areas include Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Cotabato City.

Appeal for patience

Senate President Vicente Sotto III called on the public to be patient and just comply with safety protocols.

“I know that many of our people in the National Capital Region and other areas who are under MECQ are itching to go back to their jobs and start earning incomes again,” Sotto said in a statement.

Sen. Bong Revilla, vice chairman of the Senate committee on public services, stressed the need for the government and concerned agencies to fully prepare the local transport sector.

“The first question we should ask ourselves is: ‘are we ready?’ Are we ready to ensure the safety of our commuters?” Revilla said.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno urged the public to brace for economic hardship.

“That is an undeniable fact. A prolonged ECQ may negatively impact the workers’ welfare. It will cost thousands of jobs since companies cannot afford to exist without income, without production,” Moreno said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, meanwhile, ordered his men to prepare for possible resurgence of criminal activities.

“We will be more alert because the opportunity (for lawbreakers) will again expand,” he said at a virtual press conference.