Gov't shifts policy on lockdowns, to implement only ECQ or GCQ

The government will only implement two quarantine classifications during the pilot implementation of the alert level system for COVID-19 response in the National Capital Region, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Friday.

At a press briefing, Roque said the IATF has approved “provisionally” the guidelines for the implementation of the alert level system for COVID-19 response.

“Sang-ayon po dito sa policy shift na gagawin natin, dalawa na lang po ang ating quarantine classification. Ito po ang ECQ na ipapataw po ng IATF o di naman kaya ang GCQ pero ‘yung pupuwede at hindi pupuwede sa GCQ po ay hindi gaya ng dati,” Roque said.

“Ang pupuwede at hindi pupuwede ay depende po sa alert level na nakapataw sa lugar sa loob mismo ng Metro Manila ito po ay magiging kada siyudad at kada munisipyo,” he added.

Under Alert Level 4, the highest risk classification, dine-in, personal services, and mass gatherings are not allowed, he said.

Roque said the IATF — or the or the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases — is still finalizing the details on the activities that will be allowed under Alert Level 4.

“Lahat po ng areas ay magpapatupad ng granular lockdowns sang-ayon po sa guidelines ng IATF. Ang pagkakaiba po nito ang mga lockdowns na ito ay mas istrikto,” he said.

According to Roque, Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs) will be limited to health workers and health professionals.

Government officials and employees who are residing in areas that are put under localized lockdowns are not allowed to go out of their residence. 

Metro Manila is under MECQ until September 15, 2021, or until the pilot general community quarantine with alert level system is implemented.

It was still unknown what quarantine level will be implemented after September 15.  

General directions

Under ECQ, most sectors are not allowed, Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said, citing the general directions of the policy shift.

He added that “stronger granular lockdowns” will be implemented in specific areas like homes, streets, and purok with clusters of cases.

Under this measure, only healthcare workers, returning or leaving overseas Filipino workers, and those with medical emergencies are allowed to go out.

For “targeted restrictions,” they will be imposed on sectors and industries in areas under Alert Levels.

The restrictions on indoor activities (closed), crowding (crowded), and activities where the minimum health standards (close contact)—or collectively called as 3Cs—will vary depending on the Alert Level.

Below are the provisions for the Alert Levels:

Alert Level 1

• Movement of persons shall be allowed (except for reasonable restrictions on 3C’s identified by the LGUs)
• Private establishments in full capacity with minimum public health standards
• Agencies and instrumentalities of the government in full capacity with minimum public health standards
• 3Cs activities in full capacity

Alert Level 2

• Movement of persons shall be allowed (except for reasonable restrictions based on age and comorbidities  determined by LGUs)
• Private establishments in minimal on-site capacity; work-from-home and flexible work arrangements
• Agencies and instrumentalities of the government in at least 50% on-site capacity
• 3Cs activities in 50% capacity

Alert Level 3

• Movement of persons shall be allowed (except for reasonable restrictions based on age and comorbidities determined by LGUs)
• Private establishments in minimal on-site capacity; work-from-home and flexible work arrangements
• Agencies and instrumentalities of the government in at least 30% on-site capacity
• 3Cs activities in 30% capacity

Alert Level 4

• Prohibited from movement are people below 18 years old, over 60 years old, those with comorbidities or immunodeficiency, as well as those who are pregnant 
• Private establishments in minimal on-site capacity; work-from-home and  flexible work arrangement
• Agencies and instrumentalities of the government in at least 20% on-site capacity
• 3Cs activities are not allowed

According to Densing, the guidelines have yet to be finalized as some concerns on Alert Level 3 qualifications, al fresco dining, and the easing of the restrictions on vaccinated people are still being discussed. —KBK/RSJ, GMA News