METRO Manila will remain under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from September 8 to 15 after the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) deferred the pilot implementation of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with granular lockdowns in the region.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque did not give any reason for the deferment but said the MECQ can be lifted ahead of September 15 if they are ready to implement the GCQ with localized lockdown.
“The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) deferred the pilot implementation of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with Alert Levels System in the National Capital Region (NCR). Metro Manila’s current risk classification as Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) shall be maintained until September 15, 2021, or until the pilot GCQ with Alert Level System is implemented, whichever comes first,” he said.
Roque said that under MECQ, indoor and al-fresco dine-in services, and personal care services, including beauty salons, beauty parlors and nail spas, shall remain closed.
Roque announced last Monday that Metro Manila or NCR will transition to GCQ from September 8 to 30 as it prepares for the pilot implementation of the localized or granular lockdown.
He said the IATF is finalizing the guidelines for the implementation of the granular lockdown.
The imposition of the granular lockdown aims to limit quarantines to areas with high cases of the coronavirus disease and allow businesses to operate in areas that are not covered by the localized lockdown.
Roque said religious services held through online video recording and transmission shall be allowed while immediate family members are allowed to attend necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals if the deceased died of non-COVID-19 causes. However, they need to show satisfactory proof of their relationship with the deceased and need to comply with minimum public health standards.
Roque also announced that Ilocos Norte has been placed under MECQ from September 7 to 30.
IATF Resolution 136-G, issued on September 6 but released by Malacanang only yesterday, said the province was placed under MECQ following an “appeal of the local government unit.”
Department of Health records showed that as of September 6, Ilocos Norte has recorded a total of 16,430 cases — 1,306 active cases, 14, 919 recovered cases and 205 deaths.
Roque said the guidelines for the granular lockdown were still being finalized as of yesterday after some last-minute inputs were added.
PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar vowed a more systematic and coordinated granular lockdowns in Metro Manila as part of government efforts to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. — With Victor Reyes
