PRESIDENT Duterte has overruled the recommendation of the ‘Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF) to maintain the status of the National Capital Region and the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan under the ‘modified enhanced community quarantine’ (MECQ) until the end of the month.
Instead, in a video conference with the IATF and other members of his Cabinet on Monday night, August 17, 2020, the Chief Executive decided to revert these areas to “GCQ” (general community quarantine) in order to stimulate business activity. The decision takes effect tomorrow, August 19, 2020.
With the decision, areas under GCQ are the following:
National Capital Region, Calabarzon Region, Nueva Ecija, Iloilo City, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Minglanilla and Consolacion, both in Cebu province.
The rest of the country are placed under the “MGCQ” (modified general community quarantine) also until the end of the month.
Metro Manila Council president and Parañaque City mayor, Edwin Olivares, in an interview this morning over ‘Radyo Pilipinas’ however stressed that the “original guidelines” in the implementation of the GCQ would be implemented.
This means limiting accommodations by public places such as restaurants, to only 10 percent of capacity for ‘dine-in’ clients. Included in this policy are houses of worship like churches.
Olivares said their prime consideration under the new GCQ is the availability of public transportation to help workers and employees in gong to and from their places of work.
He added the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is expected to release its decision on the opening of more routes to public transportation.