NCR Plus under GCQ
It’s two more weeks of general community quarantine (GCQ) for the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal from 1 to 15 June as recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and approved by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
In spite of improvements in the healthcare utilization rates (HCUR) and other indicators in the NCR Plus areas, the IATF still saw fit to retain the GCQ classification in these areas. This is to protect and continue to build on the gains we have achieved from having been under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) classifications in the past few months.
Under GCQ, the NCR Plus areas will still be subject to some restrictions in terms of the carrying capacity of certain businesses and establishments and in some allowed activities.
In one of my recent press briefings, I presented the allowed and prohibited activities, establishments and industries under the current community quarantine classification for NCR Plus.
Still disallowed are the operations of entertainment venues like bars, concert halls, theaters and those of recreational venues like Internet cafes, billiard hall and arcades. Similarly, the operations of amusement parks, fairs, playground, and kiddie rides are also not allowed at this time.
Cockfighting is still prohibited, but, the IATF has temporarily allowed the selling of lottery tickets and horse racing with off-track betting. Non-contact sports is still allowed, however, but the operations of indoor sports courts and venues, including gyms, are still prohibited.
Meanwhile, venues for meetings and conferences are allowed up to 30 percent venue capacity in areas under GCQ with restrictions, while in areas under the regular GCQ, up to 50 percent venue capacity is allowed. For personal care services, up to 40 percent capacity is allowed in GCQ with restrictions, while it is allowed up to 50 percent in regular GCQ.
For the tourism sector, while indoor tourist attractions are still prohibited, outdoor tourist attractions are allowed up to 30 percent in NCR Plus; while in other areas under GCQ, this is allowed up to 50 percent venue capacity.
Also, specialized markets of the Department of Tourism (DoT) such as staycations are allowed up to 100 percent venue capacity, while other DoT-accredited accommodation establishments are allowed up to 30 percent venue capacity with local government unit (LGU) oversight.
For indoor dining, up to 30 percent venue capacity is allowed under GCQ with restrictions, while in ordinary GCQ, indoor dining is allowed up to 50 percent. And for religious services, it is allowed at 30 percent, with LGU having the option to increase the capacity up to 50 percent.
A notable change in this month’s community quarantine restrictions is that point-to-point interzonal travel is now allowed without age restrictions, but with test-before-travel requirements. The public is also reminded to know the travel requirements and protocols of their LGU destination because the point-to-point interzonal travel will depend on the requirements of the LGU.
On the other hand, intrazonal travel within the NCR Plus will remain to be allowed. In general, those who are allowed to go out are still the 18 to 65 age group.
I understand that many of you are impatient to have all that we used to enjoy to open fully once again like the cinemas, the arcades, and amusement parks, and to have the liberty to go anywhere with our families and friends without care for restrictions on age or mobility. I, too, can’t wait to have that freedom.
In the meantime, while we wait for all our eligible population to be vaccinated and have that population protection that we aim for, let us continue to keep ourselves, families and communities protected through proper and frequent handwashing or by using hand sanitizers, wearing masks and face shields and practicing physical or social distancing. Also, be part of the solution and have yourself vaccinated as soon as possible — it is the only way we can win against Covid-19.
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I understand that many of you are impatient to have all that we used to enjoy to open fully once again like the cinemas, the arcades and amusement parks, and to have the liberty to go anywhere with our families and friends without care for restrictions on age or mobility. I, too, can’t wait to have that freedom.
“NCR
Plus areas will still be subject to some restrictions in terms of the carrying capacity of certain businesses and establishments and in some allowed activities.