President Rodrigo Roa Duterte announced on Thursday (May 13) the new quarantine classifications for various areas in the Philippines for May 15 to 31, following his approval of the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
In his Talk to the People public briefing, President Duterte placed Santiago City, Quirino Province, Ifugao, and Zamboanga City under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
NCR Plus – National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal – are placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions.
Apayao, Benguet, Baguio City, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Abra, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Quezon, Puerto Princesa City, Iligan City, Davao City, and Lanao del Sur are placed under GCQ.
The rest of the country is placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque explained that under GCQ with heightened restrictions, only individuals aged 18 to 65 are allowed to go out, and only essential travel in and out of NCR Plus is permitted. Public transportation remains operational.
Indoor dine-in services are allowed at 20% capacity, outdoor or al fresco dining at 50%, outdoor tourist attractions at 30%, and specialized markets of the Department of Tourism (DOT) are also allowed.
Religious gatherings, as well as the wakes and funerals of persons who died of causes other than COVID-19, are permitted at 10% capacity.
Non-contact sports, games, scrimmages held outdoors, and personal care services are allowed at 30% capacity.
However, entertainment venues, recreational venues, amusement parks, fairs, playgrounds, kiddie rides, indoor sports courts, venues, and indoor tourist attractions are still prohibited for the meantime.
Report from Mela Lesmoras/NGS-jlo
