Metro Manila, Batangas, Tacloban City and Bacolod will remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) until October 31, 2020, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III announced on Sept 28.
Also moved to GCQ level from the more stringent modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) are Iloilo City and Iligan City.
Lanao del Sur and Marawi City, meanwhile, will remain under MECQ.
The rest of the country will still be under the least strict protocols, modified GCQ (MGCQ), until the end of October.
In GCQ areas, the logistics sector is allowed to operate at full capacity, according to the latest omnibus guidelines on the implementation of community quarantine.
The road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation are also allowed to operate at reduced operational and vehicular capacity in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation.
All public transport vehicles should also observe a strict one-meter distance between passengers and have appropriate engineering controls put in place.
MGCQ, which is the transition phase to the “new normal,” has more relaxed measures than GCQ in terms of limiting movement and transportation, regulating the operation of industries, and fielding uniformed personnel to enforce community quarantine protocols.
For MECQ areas, meanwhile, quarantine and work passes will be required. Movement will be limited and only a select number of business activities will be allowed to operate either at full or 50% capacity.
But within and across areas placed under any form of community quarantine, movement of all types of cargoes via land, air, and sea should remain unhampered. Likewise, workers in the logistics sector should be allowed to transit within and across these areas.
