MANILA, Philippines — First there was the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). Then, there was the general community quarantine (GCQ).
On Tuesday, Palace spokesperson Harry Roque announced the newest category to refer to the somewhat more relaxed but still limited movement of people in some areas, including Metro Manila — the “modified” ECQ.
“It is a transition,” described Roque of the new classification during a Palace briefing.
The modified ECQ will be enforced by the government in Metro Manila, Laguna, and Cebu City from May 16 to May 31, upon the lapse of the extension of the month-long quarantine earlier imposed by President Rodrigo Duterte in order to arrest the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“Ang modified po na ECQ is ECQ, kaya lang may ilang industriya na bubuksan hanggang 50 porsiyento at mayroon pa rin ilang zona, mga barangay, o grupo ng mga barangay na mananatili pa rin sa ECQ,” Roque further explained.
The Palace official, however, said the industries that will be allowed to resume operations will still be announced Wednesday.
Nasa ilalim ba ng modified ECQ ang inyong lugar? Alamin ang pagkakaiba ng iba’t-ibang quarantine classification:https://t.co/yjwBox8yLb pic.twitter.com/bTJcy2n6bK
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 12, 2020
Among the differences between ECQ, MECQ, and GCQ as presented by Roque in his press briefing are the following:
ECQ
-No movement regardless of age and health status
-No economic activity except utility services, food, water, and other essential sectors
-No public transport
-No physical classes
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
-Limited transportation services for essential goods and services
-Limited transportation for those going to work and for essential services
-No physical classes
GCQ
-Limited movements but the government and almost all industries will be allowed to operate up to 75 percent except amusement and those with mass gatherings
-Limited transport services with social distancing
-Flexible learning will be allowed but without face-to-face learning