Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal are returning to the more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) from a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting August 19 until August 31, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte announced.
Duterte made the announcement in a televised briefing on the night of August 17, basing his decision on the government coronavirus task force’s recommendation to ease quarantine restrictions in these areas.
Earlier, the government also placed the following areas under GCQ until the end of the month: Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Quezon province, Iloilo City, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, and the municipalities of Minglanilla and Consolacion in Cebu.
The rest of the Philippines is under modified GCQ.
In areas under GCQ, the logistics sector is allowed to operate at full capacity, according to the latest omnibus guidelines on the implementation of community quarantine.
The road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation are also allowed to operate at a reduced operational and vehicle capacity in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation.
All public transport vehicles should also observe a strict one-meter distance between passengers and have appropriate engineering controls put in place.
Movement of all types of cargoes via land, air, and sea within and across areas placed under any form of community quarantine should remain unhampered. Workers in the logistics sector should likewise be allowed to transit across areas placed under any form of community quarantine.
