Despite the surge in Covid cases in Metro Manila and Cebu City, the government has either retained or downgraded community quarantine classifications nationwide.
Cebu City, which was previously under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), was placed under modified ECQ (MECQ) instead.
The National Capital Region (NCR) retained its general community quarantine (GCQ) status even after the Department of Health (DOH) earlier said that its available critical care facilities was already in “dangerously” low level.
In a late evening video-recorded press briefing on Wednesday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the medical experts from the University of the Philippines (UP) recommended to place NCR under MECQ.
However, President Rodrigo R. Duterte ultimately decided to retain the GCQ status of NCR upon the appeal of the Chief implementer of the government’s national policy on Covid-19 Carlito Galvez in behalf of Metro Manila Mayors.
Roque said Duterte granted their requests on the condition that the surge of Covid-19 cases in the region will be controlled by the end of the month.
“If the spread of Covid in Metro Manila is not slowed down, it is possible it will be returned to MECQ after two weeks. So we appeal to our countrymen in Metro Manila to take care of their health to preserve their livelihood,” Roque said.
Other areas, which was placed under GCQ, are Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal for Luzon Region IV-A; Lapu Lapu City, Mandaue City for Visayas Region VII, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga City, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Basilan, Talisay, Minglanilla, and Consolocaion in Cebu Province.
Lower risks
Meanwhile, the following areas were given a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) status requiring the implementation of zoning containment strategy and strict local action: Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) – Benguet, Baguio City; Region I – Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Dagupan City; Region II – Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya; Region III – Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City;
Also placed under MGCQ areas are Region IVA – Batangas, Quezon, Lucena City; Region IVB – Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Puerto Princesa City; Region V – Albay, Masbate, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Naga City; Region VI – Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Antique, Aklan, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Bacolod City; Region VII – Negros Oriental, Bohol, Cebu Province; Region VIII – Western Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Tacloban City; Region IX – Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte; Region X – Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City; Region XI – Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao City; Region XII – Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, South Cotabato, General Santos City; and BARMM – Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao.
The aforementioned areas were contained in a statement issued by Roque after announcing the said list on air.
However, during his announcement he also included Region XIII-Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. This was not included in his statement.
Roque said the rest of the country not included in the list will be considered “low risk” MGCQ.
The new classifications will take effect from July 16, 2020 up to July 31, 2020.