The government has stressed that the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) now in place in Luzon will help contain the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and reminded Luzon residents to stay at home in order to prevent the coronavirus from further spreading in the country.
Addressing the public in the government’s daily “Laging Handa” public briefing, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles stressed that the purpose of the mandatory home quarantine “is to contain the spread of the virus and prevent the virus from transferring from one place to another through a mobile host or carrier.”
This, explained Nograles, is why classes have been suspended at all levels and why work in government and the private sector has likewise been suspended save for some exceptions.
Nograles proceeded to enumerate “do’s and don’t’s” the public should observe during the ECQ that will be implemented until 12:00 a.m. April 14, emphasizing that, apart from a few exceptions, “everyone must stay at home.”
“Other critical services should remain open, including garbage collection, funeral and interment services, and gasoline stations.”
According to the Palace official, only one person per household would be allowed to buy and access basic necessities, with barangay captains tasked to ensure compliance with the directive.
Among those who will be allowed to leave their homes, said Nograles, are:
– Employees of establishments involved in the production, processing, and distribution of basic necessities such as food (supermarkets, groceries, convenience stores, wet markets), pharmacies/drug stores, and banks or remittance centers
– PNP, AFP, and other uniformed personnel
– Personnel involved in health work, border control, emergency and other mission-critical services
– Media with authorization from PCOO
Nograles, who is also the spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) emphasized that vulnerable individuals such as (1) senior citizens (60 years old and above); (2) those with pre-existing medical condition like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, COPD, cancer and others; and (3) pregnant women should not go out during the ECQ.
Nograles pointed out that individuals who leave their homes should bring and present the following at checkpoints that have been set up to ensure compliance with the ECQ: identification cards, proof of residence, certification of employment or delivery receipt for those transporting goods to and from the quarantine area, and authorizations and certifications, if applicable, issued by authorized government offices.
The former lawmaker from Davao also assured that even with the ECQ being enforced, “all basic utilities should continue to operate, such as water, electricity, internet, and telecommunications.”
“Other critical services should remain open, including garbage collection, funeral and interment services, and gasoline stations.”
Nograles added that the capital market will reopen and that Business Process Outsourcing (BPO/IT) and export-oriented establishments would be allowed to operate as long as they are provided temporary housing by their companies.
Casinos and POGOs, however, would be shut down, and hotels shall not accept any new bookings.
In order to restrict the movement of the public, “all public transportation are not allowed to operate, such as tricycles, pedicabs, taxis/Grab, jeepneys, buses, including MRT/LRT.”
To address the suspension of mass public transportation, Nograles said local government units and employers “should provide point-to-point transportation for people authorized to report for work, specifically health workers.”
Transportation from the airport may be provided by the DOTr or OWWA for OFWs, said Nograles, while walking or biking will be allowed.
Nograles reiterated that the movement of cargo by air, land and sea would remain unhampered during the ECQ and that cargo trucks and vans should not be blocked from entering the ports, expressways or highways.
With regard to travel restrictions during the ECQ, Nograles clarified that Filipinos overseas “can return to the Philippines anytime, including their foreign spouse and children.”
“Other permanent residents of the Philippines may also return. All returning Filipinos and permanent residents from China, Hong Kong and Macau shall be subject to a 14-day quarantine in a quarantine facility. All other returning Filipinos and permanent residents arriving in Luzon shall comply with mandatory home quarantine.”
As for OFWs, balikbayans, and foreign nationals, Nograles said that they would be allowed to leave the Philippines at any time during the ECQ, “as long as their departure is 24 hours from the time they leave their homes or hotels.”
Nograles reminded the public, however, that no sendoff party will be allowed to accompany departing passengers, and that Filipinos who will leave the country as tourists to any destination would not be allowed to leave.
The Cabinet Secretary appealed to the public for cooperation as this would be crucial to helping the country overcome the Covid-19 public health crisis.
“Kung magkanya-kanya tayo, di tayo magtatagumpay. Ika nga ni Presidente, together, we can beat COVID-19. Together, we heal as one.”