ECQ extension or GCQ: List of areas post-May 15 fate

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte and the Task Force officially announced on Tuesday, May 12, the fate of areas currently under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) if it will be extended or downgraded to general community quarantine (GCQ).

ECQ extension or GCQ: List of areas post-May 15 fate
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte updates the nation on the government’s efforts in addressing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) | Credits: Toto Lozano/Presidential photo

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases recommended to place Metro Manila, Laguna and Cebu City under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from May 16 to 31.

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“Lahat ng parte ng Pilipinas ay nasa ilalim ng general community quarantine maliban sa Metro Manila, probinsya ng Laguna at sa siyudad ng Cebu na mapapasailalim sa modified ECQ," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Thursday.

For areas under modified ECQ:
  • limited movement within containment zone for obtaining essential services and work
  • operation of selected manufacturing and processing plants up to maximum of 50% workforce
  • limited transporting services for essential goods and services
  • suspension of physical classes

Meanwhile, the following areas considered moderate or low-risk will be downgraded to general community quarantine:
  • Region II
  • Region III (most of the areas now under MECQ)
  • Region IV-A (except Laguna)
  • CAR
  • Region VII (except Cebu City)
  • Region IX
  • Region XI
  • Region XIII (CARAGA)
  • Region I
  • Region IV-B
  • Region V
  • Region VI
  • Region VIII
  • Region X
  • Region XII
  • ARMM

The extension of ECQ or graduation into GCQ depends on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) doubling time and local government units (LGUs) healthcare capacity.

The Department of Health (DOH) said that it is too early to say if the ECQ in certain areas will be eased by May 15, although an epidemiologist had noted indications that the country’s COVID-19 curve is starting to flatten.

Dr. John Wong,who is working with the IATF’s subtechnical working group (TWG) on data analytics said that the doubling time of the number of cases and deaths has slowed down, saying that “from doubling every less than three days, now it is doubling around four days.”

ECQ or GCQ previous updates

Metro Manila: Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said on Thursday, May 7, that some cities in Metro Manila may already shift to GCQ and ease some restrictions. Año cited San Juan and Valenzuela, which have effective response to COVID-19 pandemic.

READ: These NCR cities may be placed under GCQ after May 15

Quezon City, a hotspot of coronavirus infection, has proposed to implement a “transition period to GCQ” from May 16 to 31. “If the QC local government were to have its way, it plans to implement the Transition Period to GCQ until May 31,” statement from the city hall says.

NOTE: Metro Manila mayors may push for another 15-day extension or until May 30, to allow their respective health departments to conduct more tests for coronavirus infection. The Metro Manila Council (MMC) will meet today, May 9 to finalize their recommendation to IATF-EID.

UPDATE: Metro Manila mayors “unanimously” vote for 3 scenarios post-May 15

Baguio City: Mayor Benjamin Magalong said they will undergo a “very, very gradual transition” from ECQ to GCQ starting May 15.

Quezon Province: Año said lockdown in the province may be downgraded to GCQ.

However, he said that the ECQ might be extended in Rizal, Albay, Zamboanga City, Davao City, and Cebu City because of their high rate of coronavirus infections.

List of areas currently under ECQ and the decision after May 15 (updated):

Region Province/City/Municipality Decision
NCR NCR MECQ
CAR Baguio City and   Benguet GCQ
Region 1 Pangasinan GCQ
Region 3 Bataan MECQ
Region 3 Bulacan MECQ
Region 3 Nueva Ecija MECQ
Region 3 Tarlac GCQ
Region 3 Zambales MECQ
Region 3 Pampanga MECQ
Region 4A Batangas GCQ
Region 4A Cavite GCQ
Region 4A Laguna MECQ
Region 4A Rizal GCQ
Region 4A Quezon GCQ
Region 4B Oriental Mindoro GCQ
Region 4B Occidental Mindoro GCQ
Region 5 Albay GCQ
Region 5 Catanduanes GCQ
Region 6 Antique GCQ
Region 6 Iloilo GCQ
Region 6 Aklan GCQ
Region 6 Capiz GCQ
Region 6 Bacolod City GCQ
Region 7 Cebu Province GCQ
Region 7 Cebu City MECQ
Region 9 Zamboanga City GCQ
Region 11 Davao del Norte GCQ
Region 11 Davao City GCQ
Region 11 Davao de Oro GCQ

Under the ECQ, protocols and restrictions in the movement of people are in place, there are no public transportation, businesses are closed except for essential services like healthcare facilities, food establishments, financial institutions, among others.

While under the GCQ, certain sectors will be allowed to operate and have their employees go out and work in phases, there will be restricted opening of malls covering non-leisure shops, some public transport will be allowed to operate at reduced capacities, and priority and essential construction projects will resume.

However, GCQ mandates that those who are 0 to 20 years old, those who are 60 years old and above, and those who are at high risk of getting the disease will have to remain at home.

— The Summit Express


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