COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines
COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines were a series of stay-at-home orders and cordon sanitaire measures that were implemented by the government of the Philippines through its Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
As of November 2021, under the original classification system that was enacted in 2020, there were four main quarantine tiers. In Metro Manila there is now an alert level system which has been introduced in September 2021 and it is already in place. As of November 2021, all regions of the country have been covered by the ALS system, which has become the national standard.
In the original classification system, the strictest community quarantines is the "enhanced community quarantine", which effectively is a total lockdown. According to the ALS, there are five tiers of alert level, with alert level 1 being the most lenient and alert level 5 being the most strict.
Background
As a result of the rapid increase in the number of cases in Metro Manila, Albay 2nd district representative Joey Salceda put forward a week-long lockdown of the region In order to prevent the disease from spreading across the country. Salceda specifically proposed the closure of the Philippine expressway network and public transportation accessing the region, in addition to the suspension of classes and work. President Rodrigo Duterte initially rejected the proposal claiming it would "hamper the flow of basic commodities". Health Secretary Francisco Duque, however, raised the possibility that if the reports of community-based transmissions are reported, it is possible that a lockdown could be implemented on certain cities or towns, rather than an entire region, as a precaution. On March 12, Duterte announced a partial lockdown covering Metro Manila, that began on March 15.At one point during Duterte's pronouncement about the Metro Manila "community quarantine," he said that "they are afraid to call it a lockdown, but it is a lockdown." This statement left many confused. His cabinet secretary, Karlo Nograles, later made it clear that the proper term was "community quarantine" and that the president's comment meant that the event was "like a lockdown". Further to that, Nograles said the term "lockdown" would likely end up leading to different interpretations, while "community quarantine" would be a technical term that medical authorities could give meaning to, which would not cause public panic.
When the "community quarantine" was applied to Luzon, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, said that the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine was equivalent to an "absolute lockdown or total lockdown." Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of Interior and Local Government also said that "enhanced community quarantine" should be considered as a "total lockdown."
Further, Duterte recommended that local governments outside of the National Capital Region implement a community quarantine if, within a given level of local government, a minimum of two COVID-19 cases have been confirmed within a lower level of government within its jurisdictional area; for example, a province-wide quarantine should be implemented if there are at least two COVID-19 cases confirmed within different cities or municipalities in the same province, while a city/municipality-wide quarantine should be implemented if there are at least two COVID-19 cases confirmed within different barangays in the same city or municipality. Upon declaration of a disaster, local government units were also authorized to make use of their quick response funds under the aegis of a state of emergency.
Local government units have been placed under enhanced community quarantine by the national government in Visayas and Mindanao and relevant field offices of the Department of Health the power to lift or extend the lockdown period in their jurisdiction. The imposition of a "localized lockdown" involving measures at the barangay, situ and/or purok levels instead of removing all ECQs has been suggested as an alternative.
On April 6, 2020, the following localities were under enhanced community quarantine: all regions of Luzon, Western Visayas, Caraga Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Samar, Biliran, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi, and the municipality of Catarman in Northern Samar.
On April 24, 2020, it was clarified that local government units can no longer impose quarantine measures without the consent of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Prior to that period, localities could impose such measures with coordination with the DILG. Duterte issued Executive Order 112, extending enhanced community quarantine in select localities until May 15 and imposing a general community quarantine in the rest of the country, also overriding existing quarantine measures by local government units, starting May 1.
In March 2021, the government introduced a new designation known as NCR Plus, which covers the Greater Manila Area, for the purpose of managing quarantine measures. This area covers Metro Manila, also known as the National Capital Region and the adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.
Classification
Community quarantine classification system
There are two main types of community quarantine measures in place, the enhanced community quarantine and the general community quarantine. It is also important to note that there have been variations of ECQ and GCQ introduced over time, such as the modified enhanced community quarantine and the modified general community quarantine which are generally less strict than their standard counterparts. As the government may change its guidelines from time to time, the exact measures per level may vary, but they are all aimed at ensuring the highest level of security to the public. The ECQ is the most stringent, and the MGCQ is the most lenient.Enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)
Localities under an enhanced community quarantine are generally ordered to stay at home, with its residents restricted from traveling to other cities or barangays. The ECQ is equivalent to a total or complete lockdown in terms of security. Barangay governments can issue quarantine passes allowing residents to buy essential goods outside curfew hours and within the issuing barangays' jurisdiction. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which was effective in 2020 also provides measures related to the ECQ, such as:- Limitations on all forms of transportation
- Work suspensions and the setting up of alternative working arrangements such as remote work
- Ensuring the supply of food and medical products
- Measures against profiteering and hoarding of essential goods
- Provision allowing a 30-day grace period for loan and rental payments during the quarantine period
- Cancellation of mass gatherings
- Closure of non-essential businesses
- 24/7 opening of essential businesses and utilities in 100% operational capacity
- All households are required observe strict home quarantine. Movement outside the place of residence is limited to Authorized Persons Outside Residence including essential workers, those accessing essential goods and services, and workers in establishments allowed to operate. People aged 18-years below and above 65, people with comorbidities, and pregnant women are barred from going out their homes except to either obtain essential goods and services or to report for work.
- Mass gatherings and face-to-face classes are not allowed in ECQ zones. Religious gatherings and dine-in services are not allowed. Shopping malls are allowed to operate for essential services.
- Limitations on mass transportation.
- Essential and priority constructions projects are allowed to resume in accordance with Department of Public Works and Highways guidelines
- In addition to front-line services ; full operations is allowed for certain operations including agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and delivery and courier services of essential goods.
- Limited operations for certain sectors.
General community quarantine (GCQ)
The general community quarantine, which was introduced on May 1, is generally less stringent than ECQ. Public transportation is allowed at a reduced capacity and select businesses are allowed to operate at 50 to 100 percent of their regular capacity depending on their industry. Shopping malls are also allowed to operate, although only select stalls and stores are allowed to open.A level under GCQ, is called a modified general community quarantine.
Sporting activities has been allowed in areas under GCQ since July 2020, although live spectators are not allowed for sports events.
On June 28, 2021, the government announces new quarantine status under GCQ: GCQ with some restrictions and GCQ with heightened restrictions.
GCQ with some restrictions
- Non-contact sports are allowed.
- Lottery and horse racing with off-track betting stations are temporarily allowed.
- Gyms and fitness centers are permitted to operate at 40% while indoor sports courts may be opened at 50% capacity.
- Indoor tourist attractions, specifically historical situated museums defined by DOT, are allowed for 40%.
- Meetings, conferences and exhibitions must also be at 40% capacity but if it will be used for social events, it must be limited to 10% capacity.
- Personal care services are allowed to operate at 50% as long as they are not requiring mask removal. If the establishment has a Safety Seal, they may operate an additional 10% capacity.
- Outdoor tourist attractions are allowed at 50% capacity but with strict compliance to minimum public health protocols.
- Staycation hotels are allowed to operate for up to 100% venue capacity while other DOT-accredited establishments may operate at 30% capacity. There are no age restrictions for these establishments as long as public health standards are followed.
- Indoor dining is allowed for 40% capacity while outdoor dining is allowed for 50%.