Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in the Laging Handa Public briefing today, announced the final list of quarantine classifications to be implemented all over the country for the month of May.
Ifugao was added to the places where modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) shall be implemented from May 1 to 14, including the National Capital Region; the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Quirino, and Abra; and the City of Santiago.
Puerto Princesa City was added to the areas classified under general community quarantine (GCQ) until the end of May, which include Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.
Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Quezon, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao City, and Lanao Del Sur are also under GCQ.
Roque explained that the final changes were brought about by appeals made by local governments considering different factors.
“Umapela po itong mga lokal na pamahalaan na ito, at tiningnan naman natin iyong daily attack rate, iyong ating two-week average attack rate, at saka iyong hospital care utilization rate nila, at pumasok naman po sila,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) also agreed on the stricter implementation of health protocols nationwide.
“Lahat po ng areas sa buong Pilipinas ay magpapatupad ng improved implementation of engineering and administrative controls, lalong-lalo na po sa ventilation standards and actions against crowding and gatherings,” Roque said.
Beginning tomorrow, chosen groups of foreign nationals shall be allowed entry in the country such as diplomats, members of international organizations and medical repatriation, Filipinos traveling with their foreigner spouses and children, and other emergency humanitarian cases under specific conditions.
“Kinakailangan mayroong pong mga valid visa or di naman kaya existing visa at the time of entry… kinakailangan na may pre-booked accommodation ng at least seven nights sa isang accredited quarantine hotel or facility ang mga dayuhan,” Roque.
This does not include all passengers coming from India, in accordance with the temporary travel ban recently imposed by the government effective until May 14. – Report by Mela Lesmoras/ JBB
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