DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Davao City has now shifted to modified general community quarantine starting today July 1 up to July 15 after over a month of being placed under general community quarantine to address the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
President Rodrigo Duterte in his weekly briefing with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) declared Davao City and Zamboanga City under MGCQ despite the continuing rise of cases in these two cities in Mindanao.
Two cities and 12 provinces in Mindanao that are in MGCQ will still remain in this status, including the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao del Sur in Region 11, while provinces of Davao Oriental and Occidental will be under “low-risk” MGCQ status.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the shift to MGCQ still needs strict measures on localized community quarantine and zoning. This includes strict enforcement of minimum health standards as well as the scaling up of health system capacity to isolate those overseas Filipinos including those who are locally stranded individuals and their close contacts.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said in her radio program in Disaster Radio that she did not expect the city would be placed MGCQ considering the city has a high number of cases.
The City Government released the guidelines for citizens on MGCQ. Wearing of face masks in public places is still required along with observance of physical distancing of two meters from other people.
Curfew is still from 9 pm to 5 pm daily while the food and medicine pass is still required except during Sundays.
“There is an FM pass because there is still quarantine. We should limit the movement of the people to comply with the quarantine through FM pass. Because under Section 5 (of the IATF guidelines), movement should only be accessing goods and services” Duterte added.
Duterte clarified that even under MGCQ, there will still be lockdowns on barangay and streets on specific areas that have high cases of Covid-19 to avoid the spread of viruses. Employers are asked to give considerations for employees who cannot go to work due to these lockdown measures.
Under the new quarantine status, persons under 21 years old and above 60 years old with health risk must remain at home but can go out for exercise, work, emergency situation, or purchasing of food and medicine.
Bars, karaoke, and other entertainment venues are allowed up to 25 percent of the venue/room capacity, with strict disinfection every after customer use. Face mask should never be removed unless to eat or drink only.
Liquor ban is still enforced in these venues and in all stores.
Sunday mass is still not allowed but the mass and worship are allowed from Monday to Saturday provided it allows 50% of the seating capacity of churches.
Weddings, baptism, wake and burial, and other religious ceremonies are only allowed for family members only, up to a maximum of 25 persons.
The city government allows the entry of returning residents and overseas workers, as well as those entering the city for work and business. Davaoeños however are discouraged from going out of Davao City except for those with necessary concerns.
Leisure, entertainment, amusement activities are still not allowed including joyride and party.
Establishments such as hotels, beach resorts and other similar establishments are now allowed but only for accommodation only, with no amusement allowed.
Food establishments, salons and barbershop, fitness gyms, and all other establishments are allowed up to 50% capacity.
For spa and massage centers, the guidelines state that hand, face, and neck massage are not allowed, and face masks should never be removed. Wearing a face shield is mandatory for employees/therapists during treatment.(davaotoday.com)
