RESTRICTIONS are eased a bit in Cebu City for July 16 to 31, 2020 as President Rodrigo Duterte downgraded its quarantine classification to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) after a month of reverting to ECQ.
MECQ means that some businesses are allowed to resume operations at limited capacity, but public transport systems and public gatherings involving more than five people remain suspended.
Cebu City residents, except essential personnel and those allowed to step out of their homes to procure necessities, are still mandated to stay at home, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Wednesday night, July 15.
Metro Manila, or National Capital Region (NCR), remains on general community quarantine (GCQ) for the next two weeks.
Roque said the University of the Philippines Covid-19 Pandemic Response Team had recommended that restrictions be escalated to MECQ in Metro Manila to slow transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Roque said the President initially approved the recommendation but the mayors appealed for status quo and vowed to strictly implement lockdowns in high-risk areas, enforce quarantine restrictions and strengthen testing, tracing and treatment programs.
The President granted the mayors’ appeal.
“Pero malinaw po sa diskusyon na kapag hindi pa rin po napabagal ang pagkalat ng Covid sa Metro Manila, posible pong bumalik sa MECQ pagkatapos po nitong dalawang linggo,” Roque said.
(But it was clear during the discussion that if Covid-19 cases continue to increase at a fast rate, Metro Manila could revert to MECQ after two weeks.)
Most of the newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country are in Metro Manila.
Other areas that remain under GCQ are: Cavite and Rizal in Calabarzon; Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Consolacion, Minglanilla and Talisay City in Cebu, Central Visayas; and Ormoc City and Southern Leyte in Eastern Visayas.
Two provinces and two cities that were already under modified GCQ with strict local action in the first half of July revert to GCQ for the rest of the month.
These are the provinces of Laguna in Calabarzon and Agusan del Norte in Caraga, and the cities of Zamboanga and Butuan.
Basilan province, which was classified as low-risk MGCQ until July 15, also reverts to GCQ.
The provinces of Benguet and Leyte, on the other hand, shift to medium risk MGCQ for the second half of July from GCQ.
Cebu province - except the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay, and the towns of Minglanilla and Consolacion - remains on MGCQ medium risk.
Areas under MGCQ medium risk:
* Cordillera -- Baguio City, Benguet
* Ilocos Region -- Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan
* Cagayan Valley -- Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya
* Central Luzon -- Angeles City, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales
* Calabarzon -- Batangas, Lucena City, Quezon
* Mimaropa -- Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Princesa City
* Bicol -- Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Naga City, Sorsogon
* Western Visayas -- Aklan, Antique, Bacolod City, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Negros Occidental
* Central Visayas -- Bohol, Cebu Province, Negros Oriental
* Eastern Visayas -- Biliran, Leyte, Tacloban City, Western Samar
* Zamboanga Peninsula -- Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay
* Northern Mindanao -- Bukidnon, Cagayan De Oro City, Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, Misamis Occidental
* Davao Region -- Davao City, Davao De Oro, Davao Del Norte, Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental
* Soccsksargen -- Cotabato, General Santos City, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat
* Caraga -- Dinagat Island, Agusan Del Sur, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur
* Barmm -- Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao
In these areas, local governments should implement localized lockdowns, zoning and minimum health standards such as wearing of face masks, washing of hands and physical distancing.
The rest of the country is under MGCQ low risk.
Roque stressed, however, that these areas are still under quarantine and should continue complying with minimum health standards. (MVI/LMY/SunStar Philippines)