QC to limit number of goods residents can buy; barangays to issue quarantine passes

The Quezon City government on Wednesday announced it will set a limit to the number of items or goods a person can buy during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila from August 6 to 20.

It also directed barangays to issue quarantine passes.

Quezon City Mayor Belmonte said the move is to prevent panic buying and hoarding.

“We have to impose limits to avoid panic buying and hoarding that may lead to supply problems and could prevent other citizens from purchasing the needs of their families during the ECQ,” she said.  

Under Ordinance No. SP-2948 S-2020 (Regulating the Selling of Basic Necessities During Calamities), a person can buy:

• 5 for each brand of sardines
• 10 per brand of canned meat such as meat loaf and corned beef
• 5 packs per brand of noodles
• 1 dozen eggs
• 1 kg sugar
• 10 kg rice
• for 500 ml alcohol, 1 bottle
• lower than 500 ml alcohol, 3 bottles
• 3 bottles hand sanitizer
• 5 rolls of tissue paper

Belmonte gave the assurance though that the supply of food is enough in Quezon City. 

Delivery of goods will continue to be unhampered during ECQ, she added.

Quarantine passes

Belmonte also directed barangays to issue one quarantine pass per household, preferably to a person who is fully vaccinated and does not have a company ID or other ID proving he/she is an authorized person outside residence (APOR).

No home quarantine

The local government unit (LGU) also disallowed home quarantine for confirmed COVID-19 cases and symptomatic close contacts.

Instead they must be transferred to a hospital, a HOPE community caring facility, barangay isolation facility, or national government-accredited isolation hotel.

Other guidelines

The LGU said the following will take effect during ECQ:

• Public safety hours: 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
• Who may go out: Only APOR and those with confirmed vaccination schedules may leave their homes.
• Restaurants: No dine-in allowed, but take-out and delivery services may continue even during public safety hours.
• Liquor ban 
• Ban on personal care services such as barber shops, nail spas, parlors and salons
• Indoor facilities such as supermarkets, wet markets (palengke) should limit capacity, ensure two-meter distance between customers, and ensure sufficient ventilation.
• Business establishments should implement the Kyusi Pass digital contact tracing method.
• Public transportation: allowed to operate but observe one seat apart rule. However, in tricycles, only one passenger is allowed. 
• Special concern lockdowns may be implemented by the LGU.
• Construction of residential, housing, and commercial establishments allowed but workers should stay on-site and observe strict minimum health protocols.
• Returing overseas Filipino workers should complete the quarantine period set by the Bureau of Quarantine.

Metro Manila will be placed under ECQ, the strictest enhanced community quarantine classification, from August 6 to 20 in light of the threat posed by the Delta coronavirus variant.

Malacañang said Tuesday it is hoping that this ECQ to be imposed in NCR will be the last. —KG/BAP, GMA News