MANILA, Philippines — Quarantine passes will no longer be required when going outside to buy essential goods and services should President Rodrigo Duterte order that Metro Manila be placed under a general community quarantine (GCQ) on June 1, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said Thursday.
“Sinasabi natin ‘di na kailangan ng quarantine pass. Hindi na siya absolute. (What we are saying is that quarantine pass is not needed. It isn’t absolute.),” Año, vice-chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, said over CNN Philippines as he discussed the IATF’s recommendation to put Metro Manila under GCQ after May 31.
Under GCQ, rules will be relaxed but there are still guidelines to follow when availing of essential goods and services and reports for work.
Also, the government and all industries are allowed to operate up to 75 percent in GCQ areas.
Año said more malls are allowed to open, however, businesses and establishments that focus on entertainment and leisure will remain closed.
Año revealed earlier that the IATF has recommended that the National Capital Region’s status be downgraded to GCQ. President Rodrigo Duterte, however, has the final decision on the state of the community quarantine in the country.