ECQ to GCQ: Guidelines on the Changes after the ECQ in the Philippines

COVID19 affected our lives drastically. The threat of the virus stopped operations for almost all establishments around the world. As of writing, there are more than 3 million cases of COVID19 with over 217,000 deaths and 950,000 recoveries. The Philippines is at around 8,000 cases with 530 deaths and 975 recoveries.  

As the economy sharply declines, the government is finding a way to keep things together. But prematurely lifting the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) can severely increase the cases. According to a study from UP, premature lifting of the ECQ in Luzon can disrupt the flattening of the curve, and can catastrophically increase the cases to 80,000.

 

Extension of ECQ

Last April 24, President Duterte announced the extension of the ECQ for high-risk areas. Here are the following:

• National Capital Region
• Central Luzon except for Aurora
• CALABARZON
• Pangasinan
• Benguet
• Baguio City
• Iloilo province
• Cebu province
• Cebu City
• Davao City

 

Changes from ECQ to GCQ

Other areas with moderate to low risk will be on General Community Quarantine (GCQ). Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced the rules for the GCQ. The GCQ has relaxed measures compared to the ECQ. These are the notable ones:

• Selected workers in nonessential services are allowed to go to work. Companies in electronics, exports, manufacturing, e-commerce, delivery, repair services, maintenance, and housing can resume full operations as long as they observe minimum health standards such as physical distancing. 
• Those in finance, business process outsourcing (BPO), and non-leisure trade and services can have half of its employees work from home while the remaining 50 percent are working on site. Schools, amusement centers, leisure facilities, gaming, and tourism services must remain closed.
• Children (0 to 20 years old), elderly (60 years old and above), and people with high-risk health issues are not allowed to go out of their homes.
• Nonworkers, except children, elderly, vulnerable people, are allowed to buy food and go out to avail of essential services.
• Public transport can operate at reduced capacity to ensure social distancing.

 

Provinces with Low to Moderate Risk

Moderate Risk:

• Aurora
• Abra
• Ilocos Norte
• La Union
• Cagayan
• Isabela
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Marinduque
• Camarines Sur
• Aklan
• Capiz
• Samar
• Western Samar
• Zamboanga del Sur
• Lanao del Norte
• Misamis Occidental
• Misamis Oriental
• North Cotabato
• South Cotabato
• Maguindanao
• Davao del Norte
• Davao de Oro
• Negros Occidental
• Negros Oriental
• Siquijor
• Davao del Sur
• Davao Oriental
• Sultan Kudarat
• Lanao del Sur

 

Low Risk:

• Apayao
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Kalinga
• Ilocos Sur
• Batanes
• Quirino
• Aurora
• Palawan
• Romblon
• Camarines Norte
• Sorsogon
• Masbate
• Guimaras
• Bohol
• Biliran
• Eastern Samar
• Leyte
• Northern Samar
• Southern Leyte
• Zamboanga del Norte
• Zamboanga Sibugay
• Bukidnon
• Camiguin
• Davao Occidental
• Sarangani
• Agusan del Sur
• Dinagat Island
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Agusan del Norte
• Basilan
• Sulu

After May 15, the province may opt to lift the GCQ when they deem necessary.

 

Businesses Allowed to Open During the ECQ and GCQ

• Agriculture and Fisheries, and its entire value chain, including manufacturing of feeds and fertilizers and pesticides
• Manufacturing and Processing Plants and the entire value chain (raw materials, inputs, including packaging) of Basic Food Products, Essential Products, Medicine and Medical Supplies:
  • All Food
    • Essential and Hygiene Products
    • Soap, detergents, shampoo, and conditioners
    • Diapers, feminine hygiene products, tissue, wipes/and toilet papers
    • Disinfectants
  • Medicines and Vitamins
  • Medical Products such as PPES, Masks, Gloves, Etc.
• Hospitals and Medical Clinics
• Dental and EENT Clinics (with strict health standards
• Retail Establishments (Groceries, Supermarkets, Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Public Markets, Pharmacies, and Drug Stores)
• Food Preparations and Water Refilling Stations
• Logistic Service Providers (Cargo Handling, Warehousing, Trucking, Freight Forwarding, and Shipping Line)
• Delivery Services, where or not e-commerce platform, in-house or outsourced, Transporting only Food, Water, Medicine, Pet food, Hardware Products, or other Basic Necessities
• Delivery Services, whether or not e-commerce platform, in-house or outsourced, for products other than above, such as clothing and accessories, and office supplies
• Banks and Capital Markets, per section 5 of IATF Resolution No. 13 dated March 17, 2020
• Power, Energy, Water, IT, and Telecommunications Supplies and Facilities, Waste Disposal Services; Technical Services to the above utilities
• Electricity, Gas, Steam, and Air Conditioning Supply
• Postal and Courier Activities
• Water Collection, Treatment and Supply
• Waste Collection, Treatment and Disposal Activities; Except Materials Recover (Junk Shop)
• Sewerage (except emptying septic tanks)
• Veterinary Activities
• Repair and Installation of Machinery and Equipment
• Repair of Computers and Personal and Household Goods
• Services to Buildings and Landscape Activities (except landscape care)
• Employment Activities (manpower services for essential activities
• Security and Investigation Activities
• Programming and Broadcasting Activities
• Rental and Leasing Activities (except for entertainment/mass gathering purposes)
• Accommodation (used as quarantine facilities for OFW and Overseas Filipinos, as well as temporary accommodation for essential industries such as Healthcare Facilities, Banks, BPOs, Exporters, and other frontline service sectors
• Services to Building and Landscape Activities (except landscape care)
• Extractions of Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas
• Gasoline Stations
• Laundry Shops (including self-service)
• Funeral Services

 

Businesses Allowed to Open During the GCQ but not the ECQ

• Other Manufacturing Activities:
  • Beverages (non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks)
  • Cement and Steel
  • Electrical Machinery
  • Wood products, Furniture
  • Non-metallic products
  • Textiles / Wearing apparels
  • Tobacco products
  • Paper and Paper Products
  • Rubber and Plastic Products
  • Coke and Refined Petroleum products
  • Other Non-metallic Mineral Products
  • Computer, Electronic, and Optical Products
  • Electrical Equipment
  • Machinery and Equipment
  • Motor Vehicles, Trailers, and Semi-trailers
  • Other Transport Equipment
  • Others

• Other Services
  • Malls and Commercial Centers (include hardware stores, clothing and accessories, and non-leisure stores)
  • Barbershops, salon, spas, and other personal care industries (with strict health standards)
  • Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
  • Construction and Build build build
  • Forestry and Logging
  • Publishing Activities
  • Motion picture, video and television program production, sound recording and music publishing activities
  • Advertising and market research
  • Real Estate Activities (except real estate buying and selling)
  • Office Administrative, Office Support, and Other Business Activities
  • Legal and Accounting
  • Insurance, Reinsurance, and Pension Funding, Except Compulsory Social Security
  • Architecture and Engineering Activities; Technical testing and Analysis
  • Scientific and Research Development
  • Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities
  • Social Work Activities without Accommodation
  • Government office — frontline offices (skeletal allowed in ECQ)

 

Businesses Not Allowed to Open During the ECQ and GCQ

Other Services:

• Gyms/Fitness and Sports Facilities
• Entertainment-related mass gatherings, including but not limited to:
  • Theatres, Cinemas, Large Concerts, Festivals, Carnivals, Conventions, Shows, Pubs, and Bars
• Business-related mass gatherings, including but not limited to:
  • Trade shows, conferences, conventions, workshops, retreats
• Politically-related mass gatherings, including but not limited to:
  • Election rallies, Polling Centers, Parades, Speeches/Addresses
• Sports-related mass gatherings, including but not limited to:
  • Trainings, games, tournaments, championships
• Libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural activities
• Gambling and Betting Activities
• Travel agency, tour operator, reservation service, and related activities
• Activities of membership organizations

 

Conclusion

As the country continues to battle COVID19, take note of the changes from ECQ to GCQ and adjust accordingly. Let us all do our part!