Gov’t OKs rules for granular lockdown pilot testing in Metro Manila

By Prince Golez

The government’s Covid-19 task force has “provisionally” approved the guidelines on the pilot implementation of granular lockdown system in Metro Manila, Malacañang announced Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said there will only be two quarantine classifications – enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ) – under the new scheme.

“Sang-ayon sa policy shift na gagawin natin, dalawa na lang po ang ating quarantine classification. Ito po ang ECQ na ipapataw ng IATF o ‘di naman kaya ang GCQ, pero ang pupuwede at di pupuwede sa GCQ ay hindi gaya ng dati,” Roque said during his virtual presser.

“Ang pupuwede at hindi pupuwede ay depende sa alert level na nakapataw sa lugar sa loob mismo ng Metro Manila. Ito po’y magiging kada syudad at kada munisipyo,” he added.

The following general rules shall be followed:

Areas placed under GCQ with Alert Levels System shall follow the protocols consistent with their Alert Levels. For the duration of the pilot, classification of pilot areas in their Alert Levels shall be done weekly, unless otherwise specified.
All areas shall implement granular lockdown guidelines of the NTF, as may be updated by guidelines issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government ensuring that transit of goods remain unimpeded and that the destination is not covered by granular lockdown.
Implement strict mobility restrictions of all individuals except healthcare workers and non-health personnel (working in hospitals, labs, dialysis facilities); overseas Filipino workers bound for international travel, and those returning and have completed facility-based quarantine upon arrival; and other exceptional circumstances including those seeking urgent medical attention.
Households within areas under granular lockdown restrictions or families in isolation shall be provided assistance by their respective local government units and the Department of Social Work and Development.

Roque said the pilot implementation of the new quarantine strategy in Metro Manila is scheduled to start on September 16.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)