More than 12 million people in the National Capital Region (NCR) are at risk of being plunged back under stricter MECQ conditions as a the growing number of infections causes a backslide in the nation’s return to normal.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque affirmed this when he announced on Tuesday that Metro Manila can revert back to a stricter form of quarantine if the number of coronavirus cases continues to spike.
“In the case of Metro Manila, (transitioning) to MGCQ (modified general community quarantine), it’s always dependent on data. We will look at the case doubling rate, we will look at the critical care capacity,” Roque said in a Malacañang virtual press briefing, adding that the decision to revert or downgrade the measures lies with the anti-COVID-19 task force.
“If the (number of infected cases) increases, of course, there is a possibility that we won’t graduate to the next phase… If the trend continues, either we will remain under GCQ or we may go back to modified ECQ (enhanced community quarantine),” he added.
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| Daily statistics of Covid cases as of June 10, 2020 |
If reverted to MECQ, this would mean mass transport like the MRT and LRT would again be suspended, and the number of reopened establishments will be reduced.
QUARANTINE CLASSIFICATIONS
Enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)
Localities under an enhanced community quarantine are generally ordered to stay at home and its residents are restricted from travelling to other cities or barangays. Barangay governments can issue quarantine passes allowing residents to buy essential goods outside curfew hours and within the issuing barangays's jurisdiction.
In ECQ areas, there are:
Limitations on an all forms of transportation
No physical classes
No leisure activities
Work suspensions and setting up of alternative working arrangements such as teleworking.
Ensuring the supply of food and medical products
Measures against profiteering and hoarding of essential goods
Measures allowing a 30-day grace period for loan and rental payments during the quarantine period.
Modified ECQ
Limited movement of people to get essential services and to go to work
Gradual reopening of the economy with select manufacturing and processing plants allowed to open up to a maximum of 50 percent capacity
No leisure activities
Limited transportation services for essential goods and services
Limited transportation for those going to work and for essential services
Classes are still suspended in all levels
General community quarantine (GCQ)
General community quarantine, which was introduced on May 1, is generally less stringent than ECQ. Public transportation is allowed at a reduced capacity and select businesses are allowed to operate at 50 to 100 percent of their regular capacity depending on their industry. Shopping malls are also allowed to operate, although only select stalls and stores are allowed to open.
As of June 10, 2020, there are 23,732 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Metro Manila, 4,895 recoveries and 1,027 deaths. Based on the Department of Health (DOH)’s Situation Report, the NCR accounted for a big chunk of these documented cases.
The NCR shifted to an eased-down GCQ on June 1, with local chief executives implementing localized lockdowns only on places with high COVID-19 cases.
Changes in quarantine classification are expected to take effect on June 16.
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