MANILA—Malacañang, through its spokesperson Sec. Harry Roque in an online press briefing, Tuesday, announced that several regions that have Moderate Risk of transmission will remain under a general community quarantine (GCQ) after May 15. However, those considered High Risk will be under the new classification of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
Sec. Roque said the president considered the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) after consulting with various stakeholders including the proposals presented by Metro Manila mayors.
Those places considered Moderate Risk and will be under GCQ starting May 16 include the following regions, their provinces and cities:
CAR—Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Baguio City
Region II— Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Santiago City
Region III— Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City (maybe reclassified after May 14), and Olongapo City
Region IV-A – Cavite (may be reclassified after May 14), Quezon, Rizal, Batangas City, and Lucena City
Region VII – Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City
Region IX – Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, and Isabela City
Region XI – Davao City (may be reclassified after May 14), Davao de Oro (may be reclassified after May 14), Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental
Region XIII – Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Butuan City
Moreover, those places considered as High Risk of contamination and will be under Modified ECQ from May 16 to 31 include: Province of Laguna, all highly urbanized cities in the National Capital Region, including the Municipality of Pateros, and Cebu City in the Visayas.
Roque said that MECQ is still under enhanced community quarantine but some businesses and industries may be allowed to operate again. Those regions which are not under the above two classifications are considered Low Risk and not under quarantine.
Sec. Roque further said that the general feature of those under the GCQ is that some businesses may partially operate, except those involved in leisure and entertainment, and limited number of public transportation may be allowed.
However, he warned that GCQ means that the place is still under quarantine and all existing measures to prevent the spread of the disease are still in place and in full force. Likewise, the Department of Health, through its spokesperson, Usec. Maria Rosario Vergerie, reiterated that monitoring of minimum health standards must be done under GCQ.
