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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 31) – All areas of the country should switch to the lowest form of community quarantine by the first quarter of 2021, in accordance with the goals set by the Department of Health.
The modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) is currently in effect throughout the country, except Metro Manila, the epicenter of the local coronavirus outbreak, and six other cities and provinces. The capital region, as well as Batangas, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Tacloban City, Iligan City and Lanao del Sur, will remain under the strictest general community quarantine (GCQ) during the month of November.
In an online press conference on Saturday, Undersecretary of Health and spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that local government units must have efficient surveillance and contact tracing systems to enjoy relaxed quarantine measures. They must meet the necessary requirements to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease, as well as to detect, isolate and treat infected patients.
“Doon sa (on the) goals and milestones na ating inilatag, aming tinitingnan na baka (which we have set, we are looking at maybe) for the first quarter of 2021, hopefully all local governments can switch to MGCQ already because they have achieved its control indicators, ”Vergeire said.
Under MGCQ, mass gatherings such as movie screenings, concerts, sporting events and other entertainment activities, religious services, and business conferences are allowed up to 50% of the venue’s capacity. All of these are prohibited by GCQ, except religious services, as the government allows churches and other places of worship to accept up to 30% of their seating capacity.
The government considers MGCQ as the phase of transition to the “new normal”, marked by the lifting of the community quarantine. The public will only be asked to observe public health standards such as social distancing and regular hand washing.
The country has been under various levels of lockdown since March due to the threat of the coronavirus. Now travel and movement restrictions are being eased to reopen the economy. Some local travel destinations have also begun accepting more tourists, provided they test negative for the coronavirus and follow all health protocols.
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