No quarantine pass? Try explaining to cops why you need to be out during ECQ

MANILA, Philippines—Remember your quarantine pass? That piece of paper you presented to authorities whenever you need to be outside during the enhanced community quarantine in the summer of 2020? Well, better find it or face some consequences.

After NCR Plus — or the cluster of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal—was placed under a week-long Enhanced Community Quarantine, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the quarantine pass is once again needed by anyone heading out to buy food or other essentials.

(FILE) QUARANTINE PASS / MARCH 20, 2020/ Chairman Rico Veneracion of Barangay 725, Zone 79, District 5 of Manila prepares the pass to be distributed to residents to allow them to go outside their houses if needed amid the enhanced community quarantine. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

“Ang problema isang linggo lang ‘tong ECQ so ‘di ko po alam kung may sapat na panahon para mag-issue uli ng quarantine pass,” said Roque during his briefing Saturday. “Kung meron kayong naitago, siguro dalhin niyo na rin po.”

(The problem is this ECQ is only one-week long so we don’t know if there’s enough time to distribute quarantine passes. If you have your old one hidden, then maybe bring it back out again.)

Roque however said that should a person be caught outside without your quarantine pass, a bit of reasoning might just work.

“Kung wala naman po kayong quarantine pass, magbigay na lang po ng explanasyon na bibili ng pagkain or gamot,” said Roque.

(If you don’t have your quarantine pass with you, then just try explaining that you’re just out to buy food or medicine.)

/MUF