“Bukas na ba?” A list of services and sectors allowed under GCQ

On Tuesday, Apr. 28, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced an updated list of areas that will remain under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from May 1 to 15 as determined by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases:

National Capital Region
Central Luzon except Aurora
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Pangasinan
Benguet
Baguio City
Iloilo province
Cebu province
Cebu City
Davao City

Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Davao del Norte and de Oro, which were previously classified as ECQ areas, are now just under general community quarantine (GCQ). These are areas deemed to have a low to moderate risk to COVID-19 infection, and where some services and sectors will be allowed to operate in limited capacity.

Spox Roque Press Briefing New Executive Building, Malacañang, Manila April 28, 2020

Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque, Jr. holds a press briefing for the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) at the New Executive Building (NEB) in Malacañang, Manila on April 28, 2020.

Posted by Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) on Monday, April 27, 2020

In the same virtual presser, Roque outlined a few recommendations from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on which services, industries and activities are allowed under both ECQ and GCQ and which are still prohibited even in areas where the quarantine has been relaxed.

“Ito po ay rekomendasyon ng DTI [at] hindi pa pormal na naaprubahan pero tingin ko po ay mayroon nang consensus,” Roque said. “So parang ito na po talaga ’yan, mabuti nang mabigyan ng advanced notice.” However, he clarified that there may be changes to this list on the next IATF briefing.

Sectors allowed under both ECQ and GCQ

(as of Apr. 28)

Agriculture and fisheries

Industries

Manufacturing and processing plants of basic necessities, essential products, medicine and medical supplies including all food, hygiene products, disinfectants, medicine and vitamins, PPEs, mask, gloves and pet food

Services

Hospitals and medical clinics
Dentists and EENT
Retail establishments (groceries, convenience stores, public market, pharmacies, drugstores)
Food preparation and water refilling stations
Logistics service provider (cargo, warehouse, trucking, freight and shipping)
Delivery services (in-house or outsourced) via e-commerce, transporting only food, water, medicine, pet food, hardware products, basic necessities, clothing access and office supplies
Banks, capital markets
Power, energy, water, IT, telecom, waste disposal and other technical service providers
elect, gas, steam, aircon
Postal, courier
Water collection, cleaning and supply
Sewage
Veterinary clinics
Machinery repair
Computer repair
Manpower for essential activities
Security and investigation agencies
Programing and broadcasting networks
Rental and leasing (except for mass gathering)
Accommodation (only as temporary accommodation for essential workers)
Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas
Gasoline stations
Laundry shops (including self-service)
Funeral services

Exports*

Export companies
Business Process Outsourcing
Mining and quarrying

*provided workers are provided with temporary accommodation and shuttle or work from home arrangement

Allowed in GCQ not ECQ

(as of Apr. 28)

Malls and commercial centers (limited opening of hardware, clothing accessories and non-leisure stores)
Barbershops, salons, spas and other personal care industries
Forestry and logging
Publishing
Motion picture, music, TV production
Real estate (except buy and sell)
Office administration
Legal and accounting services
Insurance and pension funding
Architecture and engineering
Government office and frontline offices