By: Cheska Sarausad – Arcangel
The Covid-19 pandemic has upended our lives and basically cancelled the first half of 2020. As the metro slowly awakens from its economic slumber, we are left dazed and confused as to which of the following community quarantine guidelines are in effect in our area. Here’s what we know about life under ECQ, MECQ, and GCQ so far.
What are the differences between the ECQ, MECQ and GCQ, and who does it apply to?
Keep your face mask and hand sanitizer nearby and maintain your social distance. As we attempt to transition into the new normal, here are a handful of things you should know.
To know which industries can operate under the different community quarantines, click here and refer to slides 1-4!
Which areas are under ECQ, MECQ, or GCQ?
ECQ: Enhanced Community Quarantine
There are no more areas on strict enhanced community quarantine.
MECQ: Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine
Metro Manila, Pateros, Laguna, City of Cebu
GCQ: General Community Quarantine
LUZON
CAR – Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Baguio City
Region II – Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Santiago City
Region III – Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City, Olongapo City
Region IV-A – Cavite, Quezon, Rizal, Batangas, Lucena City
VISAYAS
Region VII – Bohol. Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City
MINDANAO
Region IX – Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Isabela City
Region XI – Davao City, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental
Region XIII CARAGA – Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Butuan City
Areas that are no longer under any type of community quarantine :
LUZON
Region I – Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Dagupan City
Region IV-B – Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Puerto Princesa City
Region V – Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Legazpi City, Naga City
VISAYAS
Region VI – Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimara, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Iloilo City, Bacolod City
Region VIII – Biliran Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Southern Leyte, Ormoc City, Tacloban City
MINDANAO
Region X – Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Cagayan de Oro City
Region XII – North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos City
BARMM – Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Cotabato City
When will it take effect?
Areas under ECQ – There are no longer areas on strict ECQ at the time of writing this article.
Areas under MECQ – May 16 to May 31, 2020. *
Areas under GCQ – May 16, 2020 onwards.
Note: According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, MECQ is meant to be a transition period to GCQ.
Why should you comply with your city’s community quarantine guidelines?
In the Philippines, 6 out 100 Covid- positive patients die from the disease, and the bill to get treated ranges anywhere from Php 600,000 to Php 1,300,000+ per patient.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reminds us that until an effective vaccine against COVID-19 is made available, we must always practice minimum health standards—social distancing, good hygiene, temperature control, temperature checks, and others, as prescribed by the DOH.
Whether we are on some type of community quarantine or not, we are all at risk of getting infected until said vaccine has been administered on a massive scale. Whenever possible, stay safe at home.
Just because you are not exhibiting symptoms does not mean you are not a potential carrier for the virus and can possibly be passing this to an immuno-compromised family member, colleague, or stranger.
How can I navigate this GCQ while keeping myself healthy?
With all the movement restrictions at this period, it is easy to feel down and out of sync. This is not the time to focus on what’s restricted, but a time to get creative.
Missing your daily trip to the gym? Workout with Emi Wong and Chloe Ting on Youtube, or join Nikki Torres’ Live Instagram Yoga classes. Craving certain food or looking for certain ingredients for your home-cooked meals? Join the local Food Contacts Community on Viber. Are your kids bored in the house? You can improvise art lessons or gamify cooking and doing chores together. Has the isolation become overwhelming, or are you experiencing mental health issues? Call a friend, or family, or subscribe to Mind Coach Hazel Calawod of Neurobalance who hosts webinars on the topic. We’ve also found several support groups who are always open and ready to listen without judgement.
We have weathered many crises before and each one enabled us to adapt and get creative. Some crises last longer than others but remember, all storms eventually come to an end.
