Metro plus shifts to MECQ until 30 April
Santiago City, Abra included under new restriction
Roque added that those covered by the general community quarantine include Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, Batangas, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao City, Lanao del Sur and Quezon
President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases to place Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under modified enhanced
For MECQ-NCR Plus, dedicated Covid-19 beds in isolation, quarantine and health facilities must be increased through the joint effort of the Department of Education, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Health
community quarantine (MECQ) effective today, 12 April until the end of the month.
Presidential spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque said that aside from the NCR Bubble Plus, also placed under MECQ were Santiago City in Quirino and Abra.
Roque added that those covered by the general community quarantine (GCQ) include Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, Batangas, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao
City, Lanao del Sur and Quezon.
The rest of the country will be under modified GCQ (MGCQ).
New curfew hours will be imposed also starting today as per agreement with the Metro Manila Council. It will be shortened from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. The old curfew started at 6 p.m.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Benhur Abalos said the 17 metro Manila mayors agreed to the new curfew hours. He noted that the local chief executives, under the new rules approved by the IATF, have powers in adjusting curfew hours in the National Capital Region.
Authorized Persons Outside Residence or APOR are still exempted from the curfew provided they show proof of identification or certificate of employment to authorities.
A two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was implemented in the NCR Bubble Plus from 29 March to 11 April amid the surge in Covid cases.
“For MECQ-NCR Plus, dedicated Covid-19 beds in isolation, quarantine and health facilities must be increased through the joint effort of the Department of Education, the MMDA, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Health,” Roque said.
He added that there must be an adequate number of Covid-19 dedicated beds, complementary health human resources, and well-coordinated triage and referral systems in place at the local government units (LGU), isolation and quarantine facilities, and health facilities.
“Hospitals must also be decongested through the partnership of hospitals with temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, step-down facilities for mild, moderate care or home care, provided there is proof of capacity to do adequate quarantine, isolation,” Roque added.
According to Roque, LGU in the NCR Plus are likewise enjoined to set-up their respective local telehealth triaging systems equipped with sufficient medical personnel available to provide immediate medical and patient referral advice.
“In addition, the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation must ensure the continued responsive and timely payment of reimbursement claims for Covid-19,” he added.
Roque said LGU should also prioritize the generation of demand for vaccination to those with highest risk for severe disease and death, particularly Priority Groups A2 and A3 of the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for Covid-19.
He said the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry are directed to ascertain the number of employees who may undertake alternative work arrangements and its impact on the maximum carrying capacity of the subject area.
Roque said that the IATF also approved the recommendation of the Department of Tourism to set up temporary public walk-in and drive-thru vaccination centers in the vacant lots of Nayong Pilipino property in Parañaque City.
He said that the 104 public and private hospitals in the NCR Bubble Plus have committed to provide 164 additional critical intensive care unit (ICU) beds and 1,157 regular beds for moderate and severe Covid cases.
According to Roque, at least 110 additional beds were set up at Quezon Institute for moderate and severe cases; additional 960 beds at National Center for Mental Health for moderate cases; 330 beds at Manila Times College in Subic mild and asymptomatic; 165 beds at New Clark City, Tarlac for mild and asymptomatic; 200 beds at Eva Macapagal Terminal in Manila for mild and asymptomatic; and 100 beds in Orion Bataan Port Terminal mild and symptomatic
Roque said that under the ECQ status in NCR Bubble Plus, at least 164 ICU were added; 2,226 regular beds for moderate and severe Covid cases and 765 isolation beds for mild and asymptomatic.
“For ICU beds, the utilization rate is now at 74.34 percent; Covid ward beds is at 46.04 percent; and the Covid isolation beds is at 59.56 (percent),” Roque noted.