DAVAO City has been placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) effective immediately until November 30, 2020, following the rise in coronavirus infections.
Melquiades Feliciano, deputy chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 for the cities and Bacolod and Cebu, has been assigned to head the Coordinated Operations to Defeat the Epidemic (Code) teams that will be deployed in Davao City to assist in the response activities.
A One Hospital Command Center will be established in the city to ensure an efficient referral system as private hospitals are mandated to increase their ward bed occupancy by 20 percent to 30 percent, according to a MalacaƱang statement.
Efforts will also be made to address the shortage of nurses in health facilities and to provide additional high-oxygen cannulae, favipiravir (Avigan), remdesivir and medical equipment.
Accommodation establishments will be tapped to serve as quarantine facilities for health workers as well as isolation facilities for those who test positive for Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
Law enforcement agencies were directed to assist in the enforcement of granular lockdowns upon affected communities or clusters, and if necessary, deploy personnel in the city.
Davao City has topped the list of cities and provinces with the highest number of infections several times.
As of November 19, Davao City had 5,520 coronavirus cases with 3,401 recoveries, 245 deaths, and 1,874 active cases.
GCQ guidelines
Below are the guidelines for an area placed under GCQ, according to the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine issued by the IATF as of October 22.
[] Movement of all persons in areas placed under GCQ shall be limited to accessing essential goods and services, and for work in the offices or industries permitted to operate. Movement for leisure purposes is not allowed under GCQ areas.
[] Persons who are 15 years old, those who are 65 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women, including any person who resides with the aforementioned are not allowed to go out of their residences at all times, "except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices."
[] Work in all government offices may be at full operational capacity or under such alternative work arrangements as agencies may deem proper in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Provided that for offices requiring employees to report physically, commissioned shuttle services, as well as point-to-point transport services, may be provided.
[] Accredited diplomatic missions and international organizations may operate at 50 percent capacity.
[] Limited operations in malls and shopping centers shall be allowed, except for leisure establishments and services which shall continue to be closed. Persons who are 15 years old, those who are 65 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women, including any person who resides with the aforementioned are not allowed to enter malls except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining
essential goods and services or for work in establishments located inside. Operations of malls and shopping centers are subject to the guidelines of the DTI.
[] All public and private construction projects shall be allowed, but with strict compliance to the construction safety guidelines issued by the DPWH for the implementation of infrastructure projects during the Covid-19 pandemic.
[] Face-to-face or in-person classes shall be suspended. For Academic Year 2020-2021
[] Mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non-essential work gatherings shall be prohibited.
[] Gatherings that are for the provision of critical government services and authorized humanitarian activities while adhering to the prescribed minimum health standards shall be allowed.
[] Religious gatherings in areas under GCQ shall be allowed up to thirty 30 percent of the seating capacity. Provided that, religious gathering shall be limited to the conduct of religious worship and/or service. Provided further, that there is no objection from the local government unit where the religious gathering may take place. The religious denominations should strictly observe their submitted protocols and the minimum public health standards, particularly the social distancing measures and non-pharmaceutical interventions such as the obligatory wearing of face masks and immediate availability of hand hygiene necessities in the premises.
[] Outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise such as but not limited to walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, diving, and skateboarding are allowed. Provided, that the minimum public health standards such as the wearing of masks and the maintenance of social distancing protocols, and no sharing of equipment where applicable, are observed
[] The road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation shall operate at a reduced operational and vehicle capacity in accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr)
[] Visits to open-air memorial parks and cemeteries shall be limited to not more than 10 persons per group.
Businesses allowed to operate
According to the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Memorandum Circular No. 20-57, most businesses are still allowed to operate based on their November 1 list. However, businesses must strictly follow health safety protocols.
Businesses listed under Category I Industries are allowed to operate in full capacity. This includes business in power, energy, water, and other utilities, agriculture, fishery, and forestry industries, food manufacturing and food supply chain businesses, including food retail establishments such as supermarkets, grocery stores, and food preparation establishments insofar as take-out and delivery services, food delivery services, health-related establishments, the logistics sector, information technology and telecommunication companies, the media.
Businesses the fall under Category II industries are allowed to operate at anywhere between 50 percent up to full operational capacity, and without prejudice to work-from-home and other alternative work arrangements. These industries include mining and other manufacturing, and electronic commerce companies, as well as other delivery, repair and maintenance, housing and office services, hotel and other accomodation establishments, office administrative and office support, veterinary activities, security and investigation activities, and funeral and embalming services.
However, hotel and other accommodation establishments may operate only upon the issuance of a Certificate of Authority to operate by the DOT. They are limited to provision of basic accommodation services. Restaurants and cafes are allowed to operate at 30 percent of the venue capacity.
Category III Industries will be allowed to operate from skeleton workforce and between 50 percent operational capacity to full operational capacity, and without prejudice to work-from-home and other alternative work arrangements. Businesses that fall under this category include financial services, legal and accounting, and auditing services, professional, restaurants, scientific, technical, and other non-leisure services, barbershops and salons, and other non-leisure wholesale and retail establishments.
Restaurants open for dine may operate 50 percent operational capacity to full operational capacity subject to physical distancing protocols. Personal care services are allowed to operate up to 75 percent operational capacity.
Businesses listed under the Category IV Industries -- language, driving, dance/acting/voice schools, entertainment industries, libraries, archives, museums and cultural centers, tourist destinations, tatoo and body piercing, and live events -- are not allowed to operate under GCQ. (With PR)