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The government plans to extend the duration of quarantine restrictions across the country for up to 30 days, from 14 days, to prepare for the country’s transition to the new normal.
The Secretary of Commerce, Ramón M. López, said state officials are studying the option of extending the period of quarantine protocols throughout the archipelago. Under this policy, people are expected to apply minimum health standards and make them part of their daily lifestyle.
“We are definitely looking into a longer term community quarantine period. In other words, it may not be 14 days anymore. The duration can now be a month, ”López said in a television interview on Monday.
As in the past, local government leaders and the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) recommend to President Duterte the type of quarantine that will apply in certain areas. What the president dictates usually lasts an average of 14 days before the decision-making process is repeated.
López explained that the government wants people to get used to wearing masks and face shields, keeping their distance and disinfecting regularly regardless of the current quarantine.
“Our view here is that regardless of community quarantine, health and safety precautions must be observed,” Lopez said. “For now, we have to wait for the president’s announcement of official community quarantines to take effect in September.”
In the commerce chief’s assessment, residents of Metro Manila and nearby provinces are meeting the parameters set by the government in reverting their region to general community quarantine (GCQ) on August 19.
“All indications show that we now maintain the GCQ parameters. However, the only question is what the new considerations are. Let’s say, for a new quarantine or perhaps a new community quarantine system, ”López said, alluding to the options that the IATF is considering.
According to GCQ, about 75 percent of industries operate with limited capacity, but this can go up to 90 percent if quarantine restrictions are relaxed, Lopez said.
“Many companies had to close permanently, although some are only temporarily closed. Those who decided to reopen have not yet seen their usual number of customers, “she said, adding that recovery will be delayed due to the stay-at-home order for people under 20 and over 60.
“A large part of the market is still prohibited from leaving, [and] This limitation is the reason why some commercial operations, especially in the retail trade, have not yet reopened ”, he added.
On the other hand, López announced that gyms, personal care services and revision centers can resume their activity in the GCQ areas starting in September. It was scheduled to reopen in the first week of August before the government reverted Metro Manila and nearby provinces to a modified enhanced community quarantine; thus delaying its resumption.
