MOST parts of the country will return to general community quarantine after April 30. For areas where the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was extended until May 15, we also hope that the status will be downgraded to GCQ after the deadline. This will depend on the situation prevailing which, in turn, will be dependent on the compliance of the citizens to the prescribed guidelines. Let us all help in ensuring that transmissions will be reduced, or eliminated altogether, by adhering to a new normal that puts personal hygiene at the top of the list and physical distancing right next to cleanliness.
For proper guidance, here are some rules for a General Community Quarantine (GCQ) that will be implemented based on the information we gathered from social media:
1. Selected workers in non-essential services that are allowed to go to work will include electronics, exports, manufacturing, e-commerce, delivery, repair services, maintenance and housing;
2. In Finance, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Non-leisure trade and services, 50% of employees will be working from home and 50% will work on site;
3. Schools, Amusement centers, Leisure facilities, Gaming and Tourism services will remain closed;
4. Children (0 to 20 years old); Elderly (60 years old and above) and People with high risk health issues are not permitted to leave their house;
5. Only shops catering to necessities will be allowed to re-open in malls. Malls, however, will limit entry of shoppers;
6. Air-conditioning will be limited in malls. WIFI will not be provided. No loitering will be allowed;
7. Priority construction projects can resume;
8. Non-workers are allowed to buy food and go out to avail of essential services. Only people who are 21 to 59 years old will be allowed;
9. Public transport can operate at reduced capacity;
10. Local government units shall enforce curfew for non-workers;
11. Airports and ports can only operate for the unhampered delivery of goods;
12. Plans of going out or reunions after May 15 are still not entirely possible. You are required to bring an I.D. that specifies your age and address wherever you go. Checkpoints will still be in place. You will still be questioned if you defy the rules.
We need to abide by these guidelines. Be aware that we are trying to avoid a second wave which is considered to be more damaging than the first. For clarifications, we urge you to seek guidance from the proper authorities. Together we heal as one!
“Hope is praying for rain, but faith is bringing an umbrella.”
“Some people cannot be cured, but everyone can heal.”
“When you go through deep waters I will be with you.” ~ Isaiah 43:2
“I don’t know what the future may hold, but I know who holds the future.” ~ Ralph Abernathy
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass...It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” ~ Vivian Greene