COVID19 forced the Philippines to be in quarantine for close to 2 months already. With businesses closing down, the livelihood of Filipinos is severely affected. Most don’t even know if they have jobs they can go back to after.
The economy needs to reopen slowly. But prematurely lifting the ECQ can lead to a disastrous second wave. According to a UP study, it might result in 24,000 COVID cases by June 15.
With this in mind, the government announced a “modified ECQ and modified GCQ” in a press conference last May 12, 2020.
With the additional “modified” versions, what can you expect after May 15?
Image Credit: iStock
ECQ vs. Modified ECQ
The ECQ and Modified ECQ are mostly the same. The difference is that modified ECQ allows:
- Selected manufacturing and processing plants with a maximum of 50% workforce*
- Limited movement for obtaining essential services and work
- Limited transportation services
For the changes from ECQ to GCQ, check out this article for the relaxed measures.
Businesses that Can Operate in ECQ, MECQ, and GCQ
Category I
Category II
Category III
Category IV
Places where Modified ECQ is Implemented
Luzon
- Laguna
- All Highly Urbanized Cities of NCR
- Municipality of Pateros
Visayas
- Cebu City
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Places where GCQ is Implemented
Luzon
CAR
- Abra
- Apayao
- Benguet
- Ifugao
- Kalinga
- Mountain Province
- Baguio City
Region II
- Batanes
- Cagayan
- Isabela
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Quirino
- Santiago City
Region III
- Aurora
- Bataan
- Bulacan
- Nueva Ecija
- Pampanga
- Tarlac
- Zambales
- Angeles City
- Olongapo City
Region IV-A
- Cavite
- Quezon
- Rizal
- Batangas
- Lucena City
Visayas
- Bohol
- Cebu
- Negros Oriental
- Siquijor
- Mandaue City
- Lapu-Lapu City
Mindanao
Region IX
- Zamboanga del Norte
- Zamboanga del Sur
- Zamboanga Sibugay
- Zamboanga City
- Isabela City
Region XI
- Davao City*
- Davao de Oro*
- Davao del Norte
- Davao del Sur
- Davao Occidental
- Davao Oriental
*Recommendation assuming similar risk classification prevails on May 14, 2020.
Region XIII (CARAGA)
- Agusan del Norte
- Agusan del Sur
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao del Norte
- Surigao del Sur
- Butuan City
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Places where there is Low Risk
Luzon
Region I
- Ilocos Norte*
- Ilocos Sur
- La Union*
- Pangasinan*
- Dagupan City*
Region IV-B
- Marinduque
- Occidental Mindoro
- Oriental Mindoro
- Romblon
- Palawan
- Puerto Princesa City
Region V
- Albay*
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Catanduanes
- Masbate
- Sorsogon
- Legazpi City
- Naga City
*Recommendation assuming similar risk classification prevails on May 14, 2020.
Visayas
Region VI
- Aklan
- Antique
- Capiz
- Guimaras
- Iloilo
- Negors Occidental
- Iloilo City
- Bacolod City
Region VIII
- Biliran
- Eastern Samar
- Leyte
- Northern Samar
- Western Samar
- Southern Leyte
- Ormoc
- Tacloban City
Mindanao
Region X
- Bukidnon
- Camiguin
- Lanao del Norte
- Misamis Occidental
- Misamis Oriental
- Cagayan de Oro City
Region XII
- North Cotabato
- South Cotabato
- Sarangani
- Sultan Kudarat
- General Santos City
BARMM
- Basilan
- Lanao del Sur
- Maguindanao
- Sulu
- Tawi-tawi
- Cotabato City
Places above will be subject to relaxed standards compared to GCQ.
Conclusion
Get informed! With this transition, it’s not an excuse to be complacent. Still practice social distancing and health precautions. It will certainly be a new normal after.
