THE Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on Thursday, May 14, placed all areas classified as low-risk under general community quarantine (GCQ).

This means that the entire country -- except for Metro Manila, Cebu City and Laguna province -- is under GCQ from May 16 to May 31, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Metro Manila (or National Capital Region), Cebu City and Laguna province are under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

“So ngayon po, makikita ninyo sa ating mapa na ang buong Pilipinas po ngayon ay yellow. Lahat po ng parte ng Pilipinas ay nasa ilalim ng general community quarantine maliban po sa Metro Manila, sa probinsya ng Laguna at sa syudad ng Cebu na mapasailalim ng modified ECQ,” Roque said in his regular online press briefing Thursday.

IATF Resolution 35-A, which amended Resolution 35, states that all provinces, highly urbanized cities and independent component cities previously classified as low-risk are placed under GCQ beginning May 16, 2020.

Resolution 35 had lifted restrictions in eight regions, namely, Ilocos Region, Mimaropa or Region 4-B, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

These areas will still be under GCQ until May 31, Roque clarified.

President Rodrigo Duterte first imposed community quarantine measures in Metro Manila on March 15 as part of efforts to slow the spread of the highly infectious novel coronavirus, or Sars-CoV-2, which causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The restrictions were intensified to ECQ and expanded to the entire Luzon on March 17.

Local government units (LGUs) outside Luzon were also directed to impose similar measures if necessary.

Beginning May 16, however, any restrictions imposed by any LGU would need the concurrence of the IATF.

The Covid-19 pandemic has killed almost 300,000 people and infected more than four million people worldwide.

In the Philippines, Sars-CoV-2 has infected 11,618 individuals, including 772 who had died and 2,251 who have recovered as of May 13, 2020. (MVI/SunStar Philippines)