THE Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has recommended the entire Davao Region to shift to general community quarantine (GCQ) effective May 16.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual press conference Tuesday noon, May 12, that the IATF-EID passed on Monday, May 11, Resolution No. 35, changing the quarantine status of some areas in the country until May 31.

Roque, however, clarified that Davao City and Davao de Oro will still be subject to verification.

According to the IATF-EID omnibus guidelines, areas under GCQ will have limited movements to services and work. Also, the operation of government offices and industries up to a maximum of 75-percent of the workforce.

Also, GCQ areas would have limited transport services to support the government and private operations.

The IATF-EID order also states that schools are encouraged to have flexible learning arrangements, and can operate to limited capacities to cater to students, but “face to face” classroom set-up is still prohibited.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said in a radio interview on Tuesday afternoon that they would abide by the IATF-EID order.

“Mu-follow ta sa ila. Naa kana sa ilahang orders kaniadto nga ang IATF ang aduna’y naa last say kung unsa ang categorization sa imong quarantine (We will follow the order. It has been stated in their orders that the IATF has the last say on the quarantine categorization in a certain area),” Duterte-Carpio said in a radio interview via 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

The mayor said the city will be submitting a progress report to the Task Force on the city’s effort in containing the further spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Duterte-Carpio, meanwhile, declined to discuss what would be the GCQ scenario in the city as she would still have to review the IATF resolution.

However, the mayor reminded the public not to be complacent despite the shifting towards GCQ.

She also reminded that people should not rejoice amid the gradual lifting of some restrictions for the Covid-19 threat is still present.

“Magpuyo sa ‘tang tanan. We must put our best foot forward para ma-final na ang approval sa atong GCQ (We should still continue our home quarantine. We must put our best foot forward so that the GCQ implementation in the city would be approved),” she said.

Meanwhile, the mayor is not certain on what requirements the city should meet for it to attain its GCQ status.

Davao de Oro Provincial Task Force on Emerging and Re-emerging Disease, headed by Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy, is still discussing the measures to be implemented in the entire province after May 16.

Davao City and Davao de Oro were mandated to extend their enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) extended until May 15, under the IATF issued on April 24 and 27.

Both provinces had earlier manifested to shift to modified community quarantine (MCQ). (RGL with reports from SunStar Philippines and PIA Davao de Oro)