ECQ, MECQ, GCQ, MGQ, new normal: How they differ from one another

The Philippine government on Saturday released the guidelines covering the implementation of all the community quarantine measures to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In its 37th meeting on May 15, 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the so-called Omnibus Guidelines of the Community Quarantine in the Philippines.

“May kanya kanyang guidelines na ang enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), general community quarantine (GCQ), at modified general community quarantine, (MGCQ)” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

Citing the guidelines, Roque said the ECQ refers to the implementation of temporary measures imposing stringent limitations on movement and transportation of people, strict regulation of operating industries, provision of food and essential services, and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce community.

The MECQ, meanwhile, is the “transition phase” between ECQ and GCQ.

Under the MECQ, Roque said, stringent limiting movement and transportation of people, strict regulation of operating industries, provision of food and essential services are relaxed, and “the heightened presence of uniformed personnel becomes less necessary.”

“Ang GCQ, ito ay tumutukoy sa pansamantalang mga hakbang para malimitahan ang galaw, at transportasyon, regulation ng operating industries, and presence of uniformed personnel para ipatupad ang community protocols,” he said.

The MGCQ, on the other hand, is the “transition phase sa pagitan ng GCQ at tinatawag na new normal,” the Palace official said.

Temporary measures such as limiting movement and transportation, regulation of operating industries are relaxed and presence of uniformed personnel becomes less necessary.

“New normal ay tumutukoy sa bagong mga ugali, mga sitwasyon at minimum public health standards na dapat makasanayan habang wala pang malawakang pagbabakuna na magpapahinto sa COVID-19,” Roque said.

“Sa ngayon wala pang lugar ang nasa MGCQ at new normal,” he noted.

Below is the full text of the detailed guidelines for areas placed under ECQ, MECQ, GCQ, and MGQ.

Omnibus guidelines on the i... by Luis Gorgonio on Scribd

—Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News