Cebu City Returns to ECQ while Metro Manila Remains Under GCQ

The nation’s capital remains under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) for another two weeks, as the threat of coronavirus continues to linger in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte places Cebu City to an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from June 16 to 30, following an increasing number of new COVID-19 infections recorded in the area.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Diseases decision was based on the widespread transmission among barangays in Cebu, as well as the high case doubling time for confirmed cases.

ECQ GCQ

He also emphasized the significant increase in critical care utilization against critical care capacity as another reason for placing Cebu City in stricter lockdown.

On the other hand, Talisay City, a component city under the province of Cebu, has been placed under modified, enhanced community quarantine until June 30, for the same reason.

General community quarantine

Aside from Metro Manila, President Duterte also placed other areas in Luzon under GCQ. This includes Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Santiago City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Tarlac, Olongapo City, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, and Occidental Mindoro.

He also announced several areas in Visayas and Mindanao under GCQ, such as Bohol Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Davao City, and Zamboanga City.

Schools, universities, and tourist destinations will remain closed under the present arrangement. Senior citizens and children need not go out of their respective homes.

ECQ GCQ

Duque, meanwhile, stressed the strict implementation of minimum public health standards in high-risk areas such as healthcare settings, wet markets, supermarkets, government offices, and workplaces, among others.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the President’s decision was based on the state’s obligation to protect the health of the public, the need to open the economy, and the country’s ability to provide critical healthcare to those afflicted with COVID-19.

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