Updated with provisions of IATF Resolution No. 43 (June 3, 2020). Read the amendments in IATF Resolution No. 43 here.
Watch: PCOO Releases MGCQ Explainer Video
GCQ > MGCQ > New Normal
For those wondering, MGCQ stands for Modified General Community Quarantine. It is the next milestone classification for regions, towns and cities — an upgrade — from GCQ or General Community Quarantine.
Once an area sees lower number of cases and a generally improved climate with respect to rate of COVID-19 infections and its mitigation, the area may graduate to “New Normal”. This evaluation usually follows a 14-day period and is promulgated by the IATF.
The following guidelines are based directly from the amended Omnibus Guidelines decided and agreed upon on May 22, 2020 during the 39th meeting of the Philippines’ COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), as well as Resolution No. 43 on June 3, 2020
This post shall focus on the guidelines for areas under Modified General Community Quarantine or MGCQ declared in Section 5. You can read the full 28-page revised IATF Omnibus Guidelines here. LGUs shall be sure to adopt these guidelines, so this is a highly reliable reference point.
Jump To > Community Quarantine Classifications for July 1-15, 2020
There are only 12 items under Section 5, so don’t worry!
1. Minimum public health standards shall be complied with at all times for the duration of the MGCQ.
– Includes wearing face masks, PPEs if applicable, provision of hand washing stations and hand sanitizing/foot bath areas, non-contact provisions, etc. Refer to the “minimum public health standards” prescribed primarily by DOH in its Administrative Order No. 2020-0015, DOLE, DOT, and DPWH.
2. All persons shall now be allowed to go outside their residences except those with ages below 21, and above 60.
Ages 21 and below, and 60 and above to stay at home unless really needed to buy essential goods/services. It also prohibits those with immunodeficiencies, pregnant women, and those with other health risks. Read more on the amendments to the amendments here.
3. Indoor and outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise such as but not limited to walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding are allowed. Provided, that the minimum public health standards such as the wearing of masks and maintenance of social distancing protocols, and no sharing of equipment where applicable, are observed.
4. Mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non-essential work gatherings shall be allowed provided that participants shall be limited to fifty percent (50%) of the venue or seating capacity. Religious gatherings shall be allowed under such guidelines as may be declared through subsequent issuances of the IATF.
5. Face-to-face or in-person classes may be conducted in HEIs provided there is strict compliance with minimum public health standards, consultation with local government units, and compliance with guidelines set by CHED. HEI activities that involve mass gathering of students shall continue to be prohibited is allowed (June 19) but must follow existing guidelines.
– IATF Resolution No. 47 updates mass gatherings for HEIs. Read In Summary: IATF Resolution No. 47 on Enhanced Cebu City Focus, Back Riding, etc.
For K-12 Basic Education, the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan of the DepEd shall be adopted.
– HEI stands for Higher Education Institution, by the way.
6. Work in all public and private offices may be allowed to resume physical reporting to work at full operating capacity, with alternative work arrangements for persons who are sixty (60) years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women.
– It is always best to check with your employer, your HR department, or Department Head on your work arrangements. LGUs have also required employers to ensure the implementation of the minimum health standards, submit initial documentary requirements before resumption of office, and submit regular reports. So check in with your LGU as well through their Mayor or Public Information Office (PIO).
7. The road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation shall be allowed to operate at the capacity in accordance with guidelines issued by the DOTr. Provided, that in all public transports, a strict one (1) meter distance between passengers shall be observed and appropriate engineering controls shall be in place.
– You will need to check with DOTr AND your LGU for specific guidelines on these. Go to your LGU’s Public Information Office (PIO) on Facebook and the latest news from DOTr through their official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DOTrPH/.
8. Private transportation shall be allowed subject to the guidelines provided by DOTr.
– Checkout the latest news from DOTr through their official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DOTrPH/. Of course you will also need to note any regulations by LTO, and by your LGU.
9. All public and private construction projects shall be allowed subject to strict compliance with the construction safety guidelines issued by the DPWH for the implementation of infrastructure projects during the COVID-19 pandemic.
– Confirm with your LGU’s Department of Engineering, and/or DPWH Regional Offices if ever on this for your construction projects.
10. Except as otherwise provided below, all permitted establishments and activities under Category I-IV of Section 4(6) and in pertinent Sections of these Omnibus Guidelines shall be allowed to operate or be undertaken at full operational capacity:
a. Barber shops, salons, and other personal care service establishments, at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of venue capacity;
b. Dine-in service in food retail establishments such as supermarkets, grocery stores, and food preparation establishments, at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of seating capacity
c. Other Category IV and all other establishments not permitted to operate under previous Sections of these Guidelines, at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) operational capacity.
– Basically, all allowed establishments and activities under GCQ belonging to the Industry Categories 1 to 4, shall be allowed to operate or operate at full operational capacity EXCEPT the following below which can only operate at 50% operational capacity:
a. Barber shops, salons, and other personal care service establishments, at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of venue capacity;
b. Dine-in service in food retail establishments such as supermarkets, grocery stores, and food preparation establishments, at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of seating capacity
c. Other Category IV and all other establishments not permitted to operate under previous Sections of these Guidelines, at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) operational capacity. [ So if you operate a Category IV establishment/activity that was not allowed to operate under GCQ, then you can operate under MGCQ but only at up to 50% of operational capacity. ]
Jump To > Businesses and Activities Allowed to Operate under ECQ, MECQ, GCQ, and MGCQ.
11. Work in government offices may be at full operational capacity, or under such alternative work arrangements as agencies may deem appropriate in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations issued by the CSC.
– Government agencies may opt to have its own work arrangements for as long as it complies with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) regulations.
12. Accredited diplomatic missions and international organizations may resume full operations.
Important Reminder
While the restrictions shall be relaxed under MGCQ, PNP border checkpoints may remain and the guidelines on keeping health safety and sanitation standards shall still be enforced. LGUs can also still enact their own safety and security measures after coordinating with the Regional IATF.
Section 7 of the Omnibus Guidelines explains further the interzonal and intrazonal movement. So please read further on that to know the specifics. However it is to note that one still cannot move between GCQ and MGCQ areas for leisure purposes. Other activities are allowed. Further, “the movement of persons for any purpose across areas placed under MGCQ and areas where no community quarantine is in place shall be permitted” (Section 7(4)). So if the areas are of the same status — MGCQ or no CQ, then movement for any purpose is allowed.
Update: IATF through Resolution No. 43 updates this section and adds LGU discretion to intra- and inter-zonal movement in MGCQ to no CQ areas for tourism-related travel, or for Boracay, the guidelines set by Boracay IATF.
It is important for us to still conduct our activities with utmost precaution and safety, and enforce the social/physical distancing, disinfection sanitation, and good health regimens. The government through the IATF still has the power to raise the quarantine status of localities if infection increases and health risks warrant so.
Let’s continue to keep healthy and safe!