Pinoy Trending: ECQ vs GCQ

Under GCQ, there will be relaxed quarantine measures starting May 1. Public transportation will be allowed but in reduced capacity. There will be 50 percent to 100 percent reopening of select establishments subject to minimum health standards. If there is no further deterioration, GCQ will be relaxed.

Here are the differences between enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine. This decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) is based on the risk of outbreak of COVID-19 in various provinces.

Those GCQ areas shall observe the following:

- Select workers will be allowed to go out and work in phases
- Those aged below 21 and above 60, and high health risk individuals shall continue to stay at home
- Partial opening of non-leisure shops and malls
- Mandatory temperature check
- Mandatory wearing of masks,
- Mandatory use of alcohol
- Resumption of classes in higher education institutions
- Resumption of priority and essential construction projects
- Resumption of public transportation at a reduced capacity
- Curfew for non-workers
- Continued unhampered movement of goods.

Roque said the task force ruled that all other low-risk and moderate-risk areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will be under general community quarantine (GCQ) “provided that as a condition, minimum health standards are achieved and continuously observed.” He said the GCQ in low-risk areas may be lifted after May 15 “should no deterioration in their risk level occur.” Under the ECQ, Roque said there will be stringent quarantine measures in covered areas until May 15. Public transportation remain suspended while only essential businesses and services are allowed to operate.

Capiz, Aklan, Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro are among the areas removed from the list of ECQ areas based on the latest resolution issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Under the revised government list, the areas under ECQ until mid-May are the following:

1. National Capital Region

2. Region III (Central Luzon) except Aurora province

3. Region IV-A (CALABARZON)

4. Pangasinan

5. Benguet

6. Baguio City

7. Iloilo

8. Cebu

9. Cebu City

10. Davao City

Sources: PCOO, Manila Bulletin

Know COVID-19 and Get Protected.
If you are sick and think you have symptoms of COVID-19, seek medical attention, call the local Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice: 0922-397-2334 / 0943-568-3298 / (032) 402-3091 / (032) 402-1269. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without prior notice.