What We Know About the Different Levels of Community Quarantine Across the Philippines

It feels like such a long time ago when we first wrote about this. Back in March, the differences we were trying to figure out were between a general community quarantine and an enhanced community quarantine. At the beginning of the lockdown, there had been 142 COVID-19 cases in the country, including 12 fatalities. Today, the total number of cases has reached 11,350 with over 700 deaths and 2,000 recoveries. The Philippines has the most recorded number of cases in Southeast Asia, following Singapore and Indonesia. 

On Tuesday, the government announced that certain regions, including Metro Manila, Cebu City, and Laguna, will be placed under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from May 16 until the end of May. Areas that are “low-risk,” on the other hand, will be placed under modified general community quarantine, starting May 16. These areas include the entire Region I, Region IV-B, Region V, Region VI, Region VIII, Region X, Region XII, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The rest of the country will be under a general community quarantine due to their being “moderate risk.” 

What does each level of community quarantine entail? 

Enhanced community quarantine

• No movement, regardless of age and health status
• No economic activity, except utility services, food, water and other essential sectors
• No public transport
• No physical classes

Modified enhanced community quarantine

• Limited movement of people to get essential services and to go to work 
• Gradual reopening of the economy with select manufacturing and processing plants allowed to open up to a maximum of 50% capacity
• Limited transportation services for essential goods and services
• Limited transportation for those going to work and for essential services
• Classes suspended in all levels

General community quarantine

• Limited movement but government and almost all industries will be allowed to operate up to 75% except for amusement and those with mass gatherings
• Limited transport services with social distancing
• Flexible learning will be allowed but without face-to-face learning

Modified general community quarantine

• Permissive socio-economic activities with minimum public health standards

Lead photo from Unsplash